Rod Manning

Rodney LeRoy Manning passed away at home with his family on Friday, January 4, 2019 after a short struggle with cancer.  Family and friends will gather at Oakwood United Methodist Church in Lubbock on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate his life of 85 years.  The service will be followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.

Rod was born on February 18, 1933 to James and Mabel Manning at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He married Josie May Klassen on December 6, 1953 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He served in the United States Air Force for 24 years and was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars.  Following his retirement from the Air Force, he joined the Alabama Department of Corrections and retired after 20 years as the Director of the Investigations and Intelligence Division.  He was a graduate of Troy State University with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice.  Rod was very active in the church, serving as lay leader in the Alabama-West Florida Conference and the West Texas-New Mexico Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He was chaplain of the Lubbock Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.   Rod Manning was a man with a servant’s heart whose life was defined by his love for God, his love for his family, and his military career in service to his country.

Those left to honor and cherish his memories include his loving wife of 65 years, Jo Manning; children, John Manning and wife Terri; Kathy Horne and husband Russell; Kevin Manning; Patrick Manning and wife Ronda; grandchildren, Crystal Armstrong and husband Joel; Chris Gaines and wife Megan; Matt Gaines; Joy Yost and husband Brian; Kara Merrill and husband Dave; Ryan Marcum and wife Kat; Krista Ament and husband Clay; Christi Masters and husband Casey; Alicia Horne and Skip Lenfest; Amy Williams and husband Micky; Dustin Horne and wife Amanda; Tatum, Morgan and Mallory Manning; Jim, Andrew and Matthew Guy; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Rod was preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Poirier; stepfather, Arthur Poirier; father, James Manning; and seven brothers and sisters.