James Mandley

James John Mandley, husband, father and son and life-long Royal Oak resident, passed away peacefully at William Beaumont Hospital on Friday, May 5, 2023. He was 74. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary, and his son, Michael, and is survived by his wife Susan and two daughters, Monique and Meagan (Greg Glantz). Jim graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1970 and immediately began his forty year career with Waterford Schools as a science teacher. His two favorite classes to teach were Bio II: Anatomy and Physiology; and Advanced Placement Biology. He also earned his Masters In Genetical Science from Wayne State University in 1978. An avid outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed his summers and fall weekends at his family's cabin on Starvation Lake. It is there that he shared his love of water skiing, swimming, dirt bikes and motorcycles, and hunting with his children, extended family and friends. Once he retired, it was anyone's guess as to where he'd toddled off to, but he was known to enjoy a summer afternoon sitting in a lawn chair at the end of the dock with "a beer in one hand and a book in the other." In the winters, Jim was known to tinker, whether it was with a motorcycle engine, carving ducks, or practicing amateur taxidermy. As were his parents before him, Jim was a voracious reader, which he passed on to his daughter Monique, and had a fondness for movies, a pastime he instilled in his daughter Meagan. Jim was also known for being a creature of habit, as evidenced by his adoration of his Detroit Tigers, country music, Notre Dame football, Bud Light, and his two life-long best friends, his wife Sue and his friend from Waterford Schools, Jerry Kasten. Viewing will be Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd. (4 blks E. Woodward), Royal Oak from 3pm to 6:30 pm, at which time a Sharing Of Memories will take place. All are invited to attend and share a favorite memory. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish to make a donation do so at New Beginnings Animal Shelter at . Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.

James Mandley

July 8, 1948 - May 5, 2023