John Kent Manley Jr.

Kent Manley, local farmer and longtime resident of Naples, passed away on August 30, 2016 after a prolonged illness. Kent was born in Bowling Green, Florida to Reverend John and Gladys Manley. Kent was of the Southern Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carol Beasley.

Kent is survived by his wife Judy and five children: Kimberly (Pete-deceased), Kent (Subrina), Karla (Chad), Kevin (Laura), and Misty (Kevin). Kent was also the proud grandfather of 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Manley (Barbara), sisters, Joy Polk (Richard), Mary Lou Brantley (Johnny), Gay Rose (Ronnie), brother-in-law, Wayne Beasley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He began a lifelong career in the agri-business industry in his central Florida birth area. In the 1960’s, Kent pursued an opportunity in Collier county to manage a tomato operation under the mentorship of Carl Glidden. Kent went on to establish Manley Farms in Lee and Collier County. Naples Tomato Growers is now known as Gargiulo, Inc. which packaged and sold his produce. Although tomato crops were his primary focus, he owned “fresh from the farm” produce stands. Kent expanded his tomato farm operation to North Florida and South Georgia. As a tomato grower in Quincy, Florida, he was a co-founder of Triple M Packing House.

Throughout the years, Kent served in a variety of organizations in the agri-business industry. Kent was a long standing member of the Florida Tomato Committee, The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and the Gadsden County Tomato Growers Association. He was honored to have served on an advisory board for Cleveland Clinic-Naples.

Kent’s love for farming, led him to expand his farming endeavors to California, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and Chile.

A celebration of Kent’s life will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 1:00 PM at New Hope Ministries, 7675 Davis Blvd, Naples, Florida.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Cancer Alliance of Naples, 3384 Woods Edge Circle, Suite 102, Bonita Springs, FL 34134.