Emmett Munger Mann, lover of music, literature and the outdoors, died Sunday, June 5, 2016, at his Lexington home.

He was 36.

Born Nov. 20, 1979, he was the son of Lexington attorney Larry Mann and photographer Sally Mann, and co-parents Karen (KB) Bailey and Hunter Mohring.

He graduated from John Dewey Academy in Massachusetts and Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, and served in the Peace Corps in Niger.

A man of eclectic interests and talents, he owned a lawn and garden service, played guitar with his E. Mann Band, enjoyed composing blends of funk and reggae, and entertained friends and family with his humor and love of language.

The songwriter also dreamed of becoming a published author, recalled close friend and fellow landscaper Ruth Huffman, who said he was working on a memoir, "Varmit."

"He had a keen sense of justice, thought about the poor and really cared about issues." He was passionate about topics as diverse as screwball American politics, biomass energy, the plight of women in Africa, solar power and the ethics of drinking bottled water.

He took great pride in his hard work for longtime family friends, Washington and Lee's Blue Bike Program and the broader Lexington community, which was central to his life.

Members of his community spontaneously gathered at the Blue Phoenix Cafe & Market on Washington Street Monday evening. The owner, Amenie Hopkins, also a county native, recalled Mann's high school years. "He was always this idolized figure. Half the girls in Lexington had a crush on him."

In his later life, he dealt with his schizophrenia with grace, joking about his demons: "My charisma is broke."

In addition to his parents and co-parents, he is survived by two sisters, Jessie and Virginia Mann, and two uncles, Bob and Chris Munger. They are all so proud of him.

Information regarding a memorial for Emmett will follow.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Rockbridge Area Community Services Board, attention John Young, 241 Greenhouse Road, Lexington, Va. 24450.