Jerry Manley

Jerry was born January 30, 1937 at home in Dallas, Texas to Ivan John and Freddie Mae Manley.   The baby of the family Jerry was the apple of his parent’s eye.  Growing up in the Dallas area, and eventually of the then town of Pleasant Grove.  Jerry was a successful student twice being double promoted.  A 1954 graduate of Pleasant Grove High School, he was elected class officer, participated in school plays, played football for the Bobcats, and was voted “Least Likely to Be Forgotten.”  It was during this time of his life he came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

After graduation, Jerry briefly attended Southern Methodist University, then enlisted in the United States Army in 1959 retiring with the rank of Major in 1985.  During his time in the military Jerry attended numerous Officer Candidate Schools.  Jerry was extremely proud of his service and loved his country dearly.

In civilian life, Jerry began working at Austin Steel Company at the age of 16.  The company is today known as Steel Boss International.  Jerry worked up until the day he went into the hospital in September, and still answered calls from coworkers about his current projects from his hospital bed.

Jerry was an outdoorsman, even telling his hunting buddies by phone that he intended to join them in a few weeks, wishing them happy hunting on opening weekend.  He was also a fisherman, and participated in skeet and sporting clay leagues.

Jerry loved sports, particularly the Dallas Cowboys, but enjoyed the Dallas Stars playoff run during the spring, and was ecstatic over the Texas Rangers World Series win.

Loyal and fiercely dedicated to all those he loved, he is survived by wife of 58 years, Jo Nell Manley, daughter Laura Jo Manley, special adopted grandsons Blake Slater, and Tanner Moss, niece Charlotte Keeton Robinson (John), Melanie Sapundjieff Koraska (Keith), Susan Sapundjieff Richardson (Kent), and Charlet Rivers Sapundjieff.

Great nieces and nephews Karen Wright McClellen (Keith), Karole Wright Harris, Kathy Wright Starnes (Andy).  Kirsten Malone Wallace (Richard), Marshall Robinson (Ashley) Pamela Robinson Gilchrist (Stephen), Rob Ward (Amanda), Drew Sapundjieff (Kimberly), Blair Sapundjieff (Megan), numerous great great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Preceded in death by parents Ivan John and Freddie Mae Manley, sisters and brother in laws Cora Evelyn Manley Coker (Jessie), Dorothy Manley Keeton (Neal), Nieces Pamela Keeton Malone, Jeanette Coker Wright, Nephews Phillip Sapundjieff, and Stephen Sapundjieff, and great great nephew Kevin Wright.