Kathleen Manuel James

Kathleen Manuel James, 76 of Montgomery, Texas passed away on December 25, 2019. She was born September 6, 1943 in Houston, Texas to James Hoyt and Juanice Arnold Wilson. Kathleen loved having fun traveling, gambling and just going out on an adventure. She enjoyed boating, being with friends and family and entertaining at her parties. She graduated from Sam Houston High School, worked at the phone company .She later went on to work alongside then husband, Kenny Manuel, as a Roller Rink operator, for over 30 years. During that time, she was an important part of the Dairy Ashford Speed Team, traveling with the family and team across the country and was a “second mom” to many skaters. After Kenny’s passing in 1996, she remarried to Joseph James, then retired in 2004. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. All that knew her, will remember her feisty spirit and quick wit. She will be greatly missed, but we are grateful for a lifetime of wonderful memories and all that she invested into our lives.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph James; daughters, Michelle Sztraky and husband, Steve; Kathy Kaufman and husband, Kevin; sister, Loretta Lang; grandchildren, Krista and Daniel Ales, Kara and Carlos Valera, Kaleb and Rachel Kaufman, Klaire Kaufman, Morgan and Matthew Sztraky; great-grandchildren, Drake, Ethan, Philip Ales, Jennifer, Daniel and Sophia Valera and Noel Kaufman; step-sons, Austin and Michelle James; Jesse James; and step-grandchildren, Liam, Aiden and Haley and her first husband, Jerry Newbury.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Hoyt and Juanice Wilson, husband, Kenneth J. Manuel.