A.T. Manning Jr

Arthor Thomas Manning Jr., more commonly known as A.T., was born on January 19, 1943 in Madisonville, Texas. A.T. was the beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthor Manning. The Manning family was not small by any means, consisting of seven children, three boys and four girls. A.T. graduated from M.B. Smiley High School in 1962 and immediately began work as a clerk at Browning Ferris Machinery Company in Houston, Texas. In 1963, A.T. left Browning Ferris and began his career as an operator at Dixie Chemical Company.

On Nevember 13, 1967, A.T. was inducted into the U.S. Army and sent overseas to defend our freedom during the Vietnam War. A.T. was destined for greatness in the U.S. Army. He began his tour of duty as a Squad Leader and was shortly thereafter promoted to Platoon Sergeant. A.T. was deployed to Vietnam as part of the famous 1st Infantry Division, better dnown as the BIG RED-ONE. In 1969 A.T. returned from Vietnam a glorified war hero and was presented with six medals and one badge for his courageous actions during combat. Amont the many medals received, he was awarded a Bronze Star, the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces, for his acts of bravery during combat. He was also awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight and received a Purple Heart for wounds sustained during combat. After completing his tour in Vietnam, A.T. returned to his home in Houston, Texas where he remained an active member in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1973.

As promised, Dixie Chemical Co. held A.T.'s position and he promptly went back to work as an Operator . A.T. conducted every aspect of his life in a serious manner, including his employment with Dixie Chemical and he soon began to excel within the company. Two years after returning home from Vietnam, A.T. was promoted to Shift Supervisor. Three short years later, in 1975, he met the woman of his dreams at a local dance hall and knew right away that she was the one. On June 17, 1976, A.T. married Hope Kubeczka and they began life together as Mr. & Mrs. A.T. Manning Jr. In 1989, A.T. was promoted to General Foreman at Dixie Chemical and remained there until his retirement in 2005. A.T. gave Dixie Chemical a total of 40 years of service while maintaining a beautiful marriage to his beloved wife, Hope, for 34 years.

A.T. was an avid sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching nearly every sport including baseball, basketball, and football. He also coached little league baseball for a number of years after returning from Vietnam. In his later years A.T. developed a passion for playing golf and soon became a skilled golfer winning a multitude of tournaments throughout the state. A.T. was well known for his stern, yet caring nature, militant lifestyle, and his love and devotion for his family and country. A.T. was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and brother, as well as an exemplary role model for his family. He was a true patriot, a man among men, and he took great pride in two things: fighting for his country and the family he loved so very much. He was a man for all to admire.

A.T. is survived by his wife, Hope Mannign of Kingwood; daughters, Tina Wilson (Rick) of Houston, and Kim Kirsch (Brian) of Kingwood; grandchildren, Tasha Sanders of Crosby, Justin Sanders of Houston, Dane and Tristan Wilson of Houston, and Amanda Kirsch of Kingwood; brother Tommy Manning of Dickinson; and four sisters: Norma Jean Shofner (Eddie) of Houston, Joann Thornton (Waymond) of The Woodlands, Sandra Shannon (James) of League City, and Marilyn Eagle of Dickinson.