L. Kelly Manning, 98, Overland Park, KS, passed away August 30, 2011. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 3, 2011, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 W. 71st, Overland Park, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America Chapter, 3846 W. 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS, 66208. Please offer condolences at mcgilleyhogememorialchapel.com.
Kelly Manning was born in southeast Kansas in Scammon, a small mining town. His mother was the daughter of Irish immigrants and his grandparents lived nearby. His father was a Scottish immigrant. His father took great pride in his U.S. citizenship. Kelly got his love of sports from his family who were great baseball fans.
Kelly attended college in Pittsburg, KS. His childhood pal, John Casterman was dating Doris Thomas. Kelly had already seen her sister, Phyllis, and he was smitten. Eventually these two best friends married the sisters and became brothers by marriage. They were joined by another great buddy, Tom Puckett, who married the Thomas girls’ youngest sister, Marjorie. Family reunions on the 4th of July were a lot of fun.
Kelly was working for Beechcraft in Wichita when WWII broke out. Kelly said that leaving his newborn son, Tom, and his bride, Phyllis, was the hardest thing he ever did. Kelly also said that if he had to go around the world, he’d rather ride than walk, so he joined the Navy.
An event took place in the Pacific that had a lasting impact on Kelly. His ship was hit by a Japanese Kamikaze plane. Kelly said that he took a different route to his berth that day or he would have been killed. It made him a believer in providence, and a divine plan in his life.
After the war, Kelly went to work for Graybar Elec. Co. His son Tom was joined by a younger brother, Tim, and a sister, Deny. Kelly was transferred to Richmond, Va. where he and Phyllis lived for 25 years. That’s where his kids grew up. Virginia is also where Kelly took up golf, a hobby he enjoyed until the age of 90.
Kelly and Phyllis retired in Florida (for the year round golf) and stayed there another 25 years until they relocated to Kansas City to be nearer to family.
Through the year his family was enlarged by his grandchildren Kelly, Tom, and Caroline. His great-grandaughters Alexandra and Alayna were the delight of his old age. He was excited to hear about the birth Tyler and Addison on Valentine's Day.
Kelly taught his children to play golf, gin rummy, and to value education. Perhaps the greatest gift he gave them was the example he set in the love and respect he showed to his wife Phyllis. He never quite believed his luck in winning her hand.
Arrangements under the direction of McGilley & Hoge, Overland Park, KS.
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