R.Manning Ligon

Richard Manning Ligon, age 93, passed away on Dec. 17, 2018 in Houston, TX. Manning was born Feb. 11, 1925 in Houston, TX to Mattie Marie Holleyman Ligon and John Rodolph Ligon. He was a lifelong resident of Houston, TX and attended Sutton Elementary, Johnston Jr. High, San Jacinto High School and Rice Institute. He was in the first Naval ROTC Class at the Rice Institute and was commissioned as an Ensign in Feb. 1944. His World War II service included active duty in the Pacific Theater as Executive Officer and subsequently Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. LCI (L) 626, a commissioned naval ship carrying one company of troops to the beach.

Manning’s college education was interrupted by the Navy in 1944 and he returned to the Rice Institute in 1946 to complete his education. He graduated in 1948 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. At Rice he was elected to an honorary society, Tau Beta Pi. Manning’s initial professional job was in the Gas Division of the Humble Oil and Refining Co. In 1954 he went to work as a process design engineer at Brown and Root Inc. in Houston. For the next 31 years he designed various natural gas processing and chemical facilities and became Chief Process Engineer and Senior Design Engineer. His major responsibilities included development of the Process Department Design Data and Design Methods Book. Manning also served on the Editorial Review Board of the Engineering Data Book of the Natural Gas Processors Suppliers Association which is a major engineering data book. He also worked on a special issue which converted all data, formulae and charts from the original English version to the System International, i.e. the Metric System.

A lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, he joined at four in 1929 when the current sanctuary was still under construction. In 1947 he joined the Cathedral Choir and was a faithful member for over 68 years.

Manning loved golf and spent many retirement days on the golf course. At age 77 he managed to shoot his age and continued to do so regularly as he grew older.

Manning is survived by his wife of 70 years Betty Jean Condron Ligon, his three children; Cheryl Ligon, Richard Ligon and wife Cathy and Judy Ligon Pullano and husband Joseph; his grandchildren Courtney Ligon and Cameron Ligon; and his brother John Rodolph Ligon Jr. and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Texas Home Health Hospice for their loving care of Manning.

A memorial service is to be conducted at 11:00 AM on Sat. December 29, 2018 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Foundation, General Fund, 5501 Main Street, Houston TX 77004 or to a charity of your choice.