Richard Jay Manning

Richard Jay Manning, age 93, of Peyton, Colorado passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2022. By the grace of God, Dick (Dad) was a Christian. He had accepted the Lord as Savior in early to mid-adulthood. We are confident, and grateful to know, that as we write these entries today, he is rejoicing in the presence of God at this very moment.

He was born in Lapeer, Michigan to Jay and Florence (Hutchins) Manning on December 16,1928. In his youth, and at the time of his marriage to our mother, he worked as a printer in Lapeer. Dad had a lifetime passion for photography and collecting cameras. At one time he had collected as many as 130 cameras and each had its own special story. He had also won a few awards for his work. He always loved to work with his hands. As a novice inventor, he and a friend, invented and built a boat, from scratch, that was very impressive because it could not capsize. And, with the help of our Uncle Junior, he also built our childhood home from the ground up. Today, with modifications made by our older brother Dave, it is still standing.

Dad married our mother, his first wife, Martha (Radley) 1/18/1948. They lived in a small rural neighborhood about halfway between Flint and Flushing in a small trailer on the lot where Dad would later build their home. Over the years his employment changed almost as often as his children were born. David was born in 1951 while Dad was working as a factory machine operator in Flint, MI. When Doug was born in 1952, Dad had moved to one of the local automotive assembly plants prevalent in Flint, MI. at the time. And by the time Larry was born in 1954, he had begun reading electric meters for the Consumers Power Company which provided a less confining work area and more contact with the local (and more vicious) dog population. And he remained there when Terre was born in 1956. Then, when Greg was born in 1965, our father had migrated to a more lucrative position with Gallagher Realty marketing properties around the state. It was at this time that he had the privilege of selling a small waterfront resort, with quaint cabins, on Neebish Island, in northern Michigan to our Uncle Junior (Clyde Redmond, Jr.) and his family. It became a favorite vacation site for our family.

After our father and mother divorced in 1967, Dad married Ila Main and relocated to Manistique, Michigan where they owned and operated the Manistique Manor until 1977. They moved to Reed City, Michigan where they managed a boy’s home for wayward youth for a few years. Later they moved to Harper Woods, Michigan and managed a senior citizen apartment complex until their retirement. Before moving back to Michigan in 2014 they lived a more relaxed life in Knoxville and Crossville, TN.

After Ila passed away in 2017, and Dad could no longer reasonably care for himself, he moved to Peyton, CO. and stayed with, and was cared for by Terre and her husband David Reeder.

Dad passed away on Sunday February 20, 2022 in Peyton, Colorado resting peacefully in the comfort of the room Terre and David so graciously provided.

Richard Manning was survived by: his sister Joanne Touchette of Lapeer Michigan, and children: David Manning, Douglas Manning, Lawrence Manning, Terre (Manning) Reeder and Gregory Manning. And grandchildren: Lisa Manning, Aaron Manning, Adam Manning, Michael Manning, Melanie (Manning) Mosser, David Manning, Erik Manning, Richard (Ricky) Manning, Jamie Swindle, and Kevin Swindle. He also leaves behind nine great grandchildren; Kendall Swindle, RaeLynn Manning, Adilynn LeMaster, Eli LeMaster, Elizabeth Manning, Autumn Manning, Jenna Manning. And he is survived by four step children: Kathleen Tennyson, Deborah Males, Phillip Main and Greg Main.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelofMemoriesfh.com for the Manning family.