John David Mann

Born in 1947 in Opelika, Ala., David spent most of his life as a Mobile resident. He was a 1965 graduate of Davidson High School where he played the French horn and served one year as drum major for the marching band. His lifelong love for music extended to time as a vocalist and drummer for several rock bands based in Mobile and at the University of Montevallo during his teen and young adult years.

David later attended the University of South Alabama, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts. He was proud to be a lifetime member of the USA National Alumni Association, a member of its board of directors from 1997 to 2003, and the charter president of the USA Alumni Association’s Mobile “Port City” Chapter.

David worked as a journalist and public relations professional including positions as editor of the Mobile County News, public relations director for America’s Junior Miss-National Headquarters, and public information officer for the Mobile County Health Department. David used his writing and photography skills as a freelancer for the Mobile Press-Register. His work was recognized with several awards from the Public Relations Council of Alabama and the Mobile Press Club.

David was a longtime member of Ashland Place United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and served as an usher and as a member of the administrative board.

He will be remembered for his friendly personality, keen wit, and joke-telling. He also had a great interest in local history (“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” was a favorite anecdote). He was a devoted father to his two children.

He was preceded in death by his son, John David Mann, Jr., parents Rufus Jackson Mann and Margaret Renn Mann; and brothers Renn Mann and Jack Mann. He is survived by his daughter, Brooke Mann, of Louisville, Colo.; brother Bob Mann (Wanda) of Birmingham; sister Jennifer Mann of Saraland; nieces and nephews Hope, Jennifer, Philip, Emily, Jack, and Michael; and numerous cousins. He also is survived by former spouse, Carol Mann; stepchildren Kristin Cazana of Knoxville, Tenn., Scott Earheart, Ryan Earheart, and Brad Earheart of Mobile; and their children Andrew, Caroline, Parker, Addyson, Reese, Aiden, and Emma, who all knew him as “Gran-Dave”. He also is survived by close friends Russell and Elaine Blount of Mobile and many other longtime friends.

The family wishes to thank nurse practitioner Ashley Thomas for her attentive care over the past several months, along with the physicians and nurses at University Hospital, particularly Sagar Kumar, M.D., and ICU nurses Kellie, Austin, and Tiffany, all of whom demonstrated great kindness and compassion.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 1 p.m., at Ashland Place United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Dr. Darren McClellan and Rev. Kristen Wright. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. In accordance with church guidelines for COVID-19, the family respectfully requests that attendees wear a mask inside the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of John David Mann to the University of South Alabama Alumni Association’s scholarship fund (https://alumni.southalabama.edu/mann) or to Ashland Place United Methodist Church (https://www.apumc.com/outreach-donations/).

Arrangements are by Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695 https://www.ascensionfuneralgroup.com.