Arthur Leale Manchester III

Arthur, or “Art” as everyone knew him, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1937, to Anne Kronke Manchester and Arthur L. Manchester Jr and was the oldest of five children: Elizabeth, Maude, June, and Richard. His family relocated to Miami, Florida, in 1948.

While living in Miami, Art worked at the A&P as a bagboy and joined Civil Air Patrol, his introduction to aviation. After graduating high school from Coral Gables Senior High School, he entered the United States Air Force, where he served four years. Upon being discharged, he used his GI Bill to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Miami, Florida.

During this time, Art met his lifelong partner Jackie Toffton and they were married August 4, 1961. They started their family, giving birth to a son, Arthur Leale Manchester IV in 1964, and buying their first home. In 1967, Art’s career as an airline pilot began when he was hired by Eastern Airlines and he moved his family to Washington D.C., where he was based for two years. While living in Alexandria, VA, Art and Jackie gave birth to their daughter, Melissa Marie Manchester, before transferring back to Miami in 1969.

Art was a dedicated Mason who joined the Masonic Order in 1967 and was an active member both in Miami and Memphis, TN, until his passing. He was recently presented with his 55 year pin, an honor of which he was so proud. In addition to this, he was a member of the Scottish Rite and the Shriner’s.

Art had many loves in life, but his sailboat was definitely at the top. Over the years, he “leveled up” several times to get to Lionize keeping her safely moored at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club for many years. After moving to Memphis, he returned to Miami many times to visit his boat, Lionize,…did we say boat?...we mean daughter, he went to visit his daughter.

Following his retirement from Eastern Airlines in 1989, he worked as a pilot for American Eagle and Kiwi Airline before moving in 1997 to Memphis, Tennessee, to work as a Flight Instructor at Fed Ex; he fully retired from work in 2007.

In retirement Art absolutely loved driving out to Olive Branch Airport to watch the planes take off and land. At other times, when the urge hit him, he enjoyed taking rides out to Mud Island to sit by the Mississippi River monitoring the water levels and supervising the barges. He helped out with his Masonic Lodge’s events, as long as he was able, volunteered with Civil Air Patrol, and supported his grandson’s Boy Scout Troop as an active Boy Scout. For a few years, well into his 70’s, he was a Personal Trainer and helped teach Silver Sneaker Classes at the Germantown Center. Everyone knew how much he loved his motorcycle and riding with the BMW RAMS motorcycle club; he did this until 2017. He lived a full life, an adventurous life, a simple life, and filled it with family, friends, and community.

Arthur Leale Manchester III is survived by his beautiful wife of sixty years, Jackie T. Manchester; son, Arthur L. Manchester IV and daughter-in-law, Crystal Manchester; daughter, Melissa Vandersluis and son-in-law, Allen G. Vandersluis; grandchildren, Madison L. Vandersluis, Arthur L. Manchester V, Geert A. Vandersluis, and Devin A. Vandersluis; siblings, Elizabeth Perkins, Maude Dougherty, and Richard Manchester; and several adored nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne K. Manchester; father, Arthur L. Manchester, Jr.; and sister, June Greene.

Art will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, a patient father, and a loyal friend.

Rest In Peace.

A memorial service will be held on April 22, 2022 from 2:00-2:20pm at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital:

https://lovetotherescue.org/memorial-gifts/

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