Thomas William Manning

Thomas "Tom" William Manning, 83, of Austin, Texas, passed away on November 14, 2025, doing what he loved most: cheering on his grandsons in their football game. He was born on October 15, 1942, in Le Mars, Iowa, and raised in Rock Valley, Iowa. Tom was the son of Lucille and Owen Manning, who instilled in him the value of hard work, integrity, family, and faith.

Growing up in Rock Valley was a blessing, a small midwestern town of Dutch origin with no traffic, no speed limits, and everybody knew each other. Over the years in Rock Valley, you could find Tom picking cockleburrs in the soybean fields, baling hay, setting pins at the bowling alley, managing the drive-in restaurant his family owned, and lifeguarding in the summers. In high school, Tom excelled in basketball, baseball, and football and even performed in the marching band.

Tom was the Senior Class President and graduated as salutatorian of Rock Valley High. He continued to stay in contact with his classmates and helped organize class reunions every 5 years. Tom attended Iowa State University where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. He was a proud Cyclone and regaled in telling his grandkids about all the pranks he and his friends would pull off, such as chalking the letters ISU on the Kansas Jayhawk football field before the game.

After graduating in 1964, Tom joined IBM in Rochester, Minnesota. This move not only launched his distinguished career but also led him to the love of his life, Kathy. They married in June 1967 and shared 58 joyful years together. His time in Rochester was filled with bridge games with friends, singing in the barbershop chorus, and starting a family. Many vacations were spent camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Rocky Mountains.

Tom's professional journey with IBM spanned 45 years. In 1980, he relocated the family along with many other Minnesota IBMers who migrated south to Austin, Texas. The best pivot in his career came in 1982, when he took a two-year assignment to IBM Europe. That opportunity lasted for 20 years.

After the move to Texas, Tom and Kathy would gather the kids into the van to spend a summer month in Minnesota and Iowa visiting relatives. In his hometown, Tom would take the kids to the bowling alley where he worked and introduced them to pizza burgers and Mellow Yellow. The family would visit all of Kathy’s relatives in the Twin Cities and lake cabins in Minnesota, including an annual visit to Wally’s in Bloomington, MN, for roast beef sandwiches.

Tom and Kathy are long time members of Bethany United Methodist in Austin and he enjoyed singing in the church choir. Tom served ten years as president of the MUD for the community, then continued to volunteer on the HOA board. When Jim and John started playing baseball, he was eager to help coach their teams. Tom volunteered his time helping Kathy lead the Town & Country basketball and volleyball programs.

Tom was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest legacy was the love he poured into his family. Tom and Kathy raised three children and delighted in their 12 grandchildren, attending nearly every game, recital, and milestone. He was affectionately known as Poppy. Whether offering advice after the game, embarrassing them in public when he would burst into song, chanting the Iowa State fight song, or sending boundless praise with fire emoji texts, Poppy's presence was a steady source of encouragement. He helped teach many of the grandkids to drive and was that phone-a-friend for homework, especially math.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy; his son James Manning (and Erica) of Cedar Park, TX, and their children Lexi, Sydney, Cody, Jacob, and Kaitlyn; his daughter Susan Kedroski (and Chris) of Round Rock, TX, and their children Owen, Ryan, and Lucy; and son John Manning (and Julie) of Austin, TX and their children Noah, Hunter, and Joshua; and numerous extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Owen & Lucille, his sister, Mary Lou, and his grandson, Brody William Manning.

A celebration of Tom's extraordinary life will be held on Wednesday, November 26th, at 2 p.m., at the Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Town and Country Optimist Club in Austin, TX, in honor of Tom and Kathy’s desire to support the Next 50 (years) of youth sports at T&C. https://www.tandcsports.org/next50/