Robert Frankie Manning

He was born Jan. 31, 1917, the fourth among 15 children of Benjamin Frank and Jettie Mae Land Manning. Robert grew up on a farm in the small community of Macy on the banks of the Navasota River in eastern Brazos County. He completed the fourth grade at the Kings Highway school before having to stay home and help with the farm work. At the age of 18, in the depths of the Great Depression, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, Franklin Roosevelt’s “Tree Army,” and worked for three years as a lumberjack in East Texas. He was paid $30 per month and was able to send home $25 each month to help his family. In 1939, he went to work preparing meals for the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M’s Duncan Dining Hall. On Jan. 1, 1940, he was called to serve in the U.S. Army and went to Brownwood for training in artillery and tank warfare.

As part of the famous Texas 36th Division during World War II, he served in North Africa, the invasion of Italy at Salerno, the invasion of southern France and Battle of the Bulge at the Rhine River in Germany. After the war, he worked as a policeman, truck driver, and a cook at Texas A&M and at the Bryan Air Force Base. After the base closed in 1958, Robert farmed the Brazos bottomlands, raising cotton, maize and alfalfa. He ran a produce business for a time, was involved in land development and owned a liquor store. He also took up cattle ranching, which he pursued for nearly 60 years.

Robert liked people, and they liked him. He made many, many friends in the Brazos Valley. His word was his bond, and a handshake sealed a deal, as far as he was concerned. His annual birthday party at Sikorski’s drew hundreds of well-wishers. At one of these occasions, he was recognized as the “Top Tomato Grower” in Texas, for the tomatoes he brought from his garden for his friends. He enjoyed a good drink of whiskey and tried his luck regularly at casinos in Louisiana and Las Vegas. Among his favorite expressions: “Let the good times roll.” Until the week before he died, he lived independently in his own home, driving his white Chevy pickup around town and into the pasture, checking on the cattle.

He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the V.F.W.

His wife of 21 years, Callie Saladino Manning, died in 1968. He is survived by his daughter, Vancy Mae Mayes and her husband Dave, of Bryan, and two grandchildren, Logan Mayes and his wife Sadie of Cedar Park, and Sarah Mayes of Bryan. His lone surviving sister is Lillie Chamberlain of Huntsville.

Funeral services will include a Vigil beginning at 5 pm until 8 pm Friday at the Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan; a Rosary is scheduled for 7 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 pm Saturday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 401 S. Parker, in Bryan, followed by interment in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Hospice Brazos Valley for their loving care for Robert Manning in his final days. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. Anthony Catholic Church building fund or to Hospice Brazos Valley.