James Kim Manuel of Harlem, NY, departed this world on October, 16 2023. He was born on March 2, 1955 to Lucille Lowe (Nee Manuel) of Fair Bluff, NC. James attended Public School 186 and Benjamin Franklin High School. He spent some of his youth in Fair Bluff, NC where lived with his uncle Harry Manuel (Gray) and his family working in the tobacco fields. This included Mae Hazel, his cousin who he remained close to. Later on he attended Job Corps in Clearfield, Utah where he graduated with the class of 1971. In addition, James enlisted and served in the United States Air Force as a basic airman where he was later discharged honorably. After his enlistment he worked in construction as a field coordinator and he also worked in automobile upholstery in New York City. Eventually, James moved upstate to Schenectady, NY where he completed several certifications as a CASAC, counselor for alcoholism and substance abuse.

James had a sincere and genuine love of people, his personality naturally drew people to him where they could feel comfortable opening up to him and he would listen with acceptance, understanding and without judgment. James' hobbies included playing chess and martial arts. James was a lover of music; he had a pretty extensive music collection, but jazz was near and dear to his heart.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Lucille Lowe (nee Manuel); stepfather, Wade Lowe; brother, Wayne A. Manuel; his sister, Ada Lee Anderson; his grandmother, Mamie Manuel Fields; uncles, Walter Manuel and Harry Manuel (Gray).

Left to cherish his memory, his children James Kim Manuel, Jr. (Kiko), Tarnisha Lu-Ma Manuel (Kika) and Devin Isaiah James Manuel (Manny); granddaughters, Khloe A. Latorre, Christiana I. Latorre, Kefyra L. Clarke, Kaliyah L. Clarke; sister, Claudia Brown; Mae Hazel (whom he considered a sister); brothers, Wade Lowe, Daryl Lowe and Jeffrey Lowe; stepmother, Cathy Lowe; other children and grandchildren in-love, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends.

A Celebration of Life for James K. Manuel will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home located at 3009 Chestnut Avenue, Newport News VA 23607. The family of James Kim Manuel wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern, kindness, and sympathy shown to them during this time of bereavement.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.