James Robert Manriquez

James Robert Manriquez passed away on September 19, 2021.

Jim was born a twin son to Manuel J. Manriquez and Margaret C. Iemma Manriquez in Sioux City, Iowa on January 7, 1938.

At the age of four, his family moved to Boone, Iowa where his father was employed by the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad as a conductor and brakeman.

Jim was active in sports at Boone Jr./Sr. High School in Boone participating and lettering in football, basketball, track, and summer baseball. He and his twin were enrolled at the Bette Mae Harris dance studio at the age of eight and took tap dancing lessons. Dancing became a favorite love and passion for Jim throughout his life.

Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1961 -1964 and was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas as a supply specialist.

After two unsuccessful marriages he met and married Peggy Lynn Sundberg in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 10, 1965. After working many “dead end jobs” he decided to go to college at the age of thirty and enrolled at Fresno City College in Fresno, California and then on to Fresno State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare in 1971, and earned a fifth year teaching degree in special education in 1972.

While in Fresno, Jim and Peggy adopted their only child, Natalie in 1970. Jim joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints while in Fresno in 1968 and held many leadership positions and callings in Fresno, California, Boone, Iowa, and Pocatello, Idaho.

Jim taught special needs students in Fresno, California, Boone, Iowa, and Pocatello, Idaho for a total of 20 years. He then went on and taught four years at the Alternative school and one year at the Juvenile detention center in Pocatello.

Jim went back to school and graduated with a Masters degree in Physiological Services from Idaho State University in 1992. He then became a School Psychologist and served in that position for eight years. After retiring, Jim served as a consultant for the Pocatello Community Charter School for 14 years.

Jim loved to cruise and travel and after his first cruise to Alaska he wanted to sell the house and cruise until the money was gone. There were five more cruises after that.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Margaret Manriquez, brother Dominic Belmonte, and his daughter Natalie Manriquez. He is survived by his dear wife Peggy of Pocatello, Idaho, brothers John Manriquez of Franklin, Tennessee, Jerry (Joanne) Manriquez of San Jacinto, California, and Mike (Cindy) Manriquez of Muscatine, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held in his honor at 11:00 a.m. on Friday September 24, 2021 at the Chubbuck 4th Ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 450 James Avenue Chubbuck, Idaho. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:00-10:45 a.m.