Stanley James Manning

Ivins, UT – Stanley James Manning, age 90, passed away suddenly on October 4, 2014, at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah, from complications of pneumonia. He was born June 28, 1924, in Seattle, Washington, to Paul C. Manning from Mankato, Minnesota, and Maime Manning from Chinook, Montana. He married Claire L. Wilson in Seattle on July 28, 1951. Stan was raised in Seattle, attending Latona grade school and Lincoln High School. Upon graduation in 1942, he joined the US Navy, became a fighter pilot and fought in the Pacific in WWII with VF Squadrons 2, 11, 7 and 20. He served aboard the USS Hornet, Hancock, Enterprise and Lexington, with over 50 combat missions. After the war he joined the Seattle Police Department, met his future wife and got married, and then returned to the Navy to fight in the Korean War with VC-3 as a night fighter pilot aboard the USS Antietam and as an LSO (landing signal officer). Shore duty stations included Moffett Field and San Diego (California), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), Barbers Point (Hawaii), McMurdo Sound Antarctica (with VX-6 as Wintering Over officer-in-charge), and Whidbey Island (Washington). After 24 years in the service, he retired and went on to other interesting professions, including real estate, flying DC-3s for mosquito control in the Florida Keys, and managing a resort on Maui with his wife. After her death, he continued to travel, living in a waterfront house on Whidbey Island, in the Florida Keys, and then the Southwest in Scottsdale, Sedona, New Mexico, and Utah. Besides flying (his favorite plane was the F4U Corsair), he enjoyed boating, salmon fishing in the Northwest, horseracing, playing pai gow poker at the local casinos, attending the annual reunions of Tailhook in Reno, and sharing life stories with his buddies. Even with all of his moves, he maintained friendships back as far as grade school. We will never forget those sparkling blue eyes with the ready wink or joke and a smile for all those he encountered. Stan is survived by his son Steve (Diane), his daughter Diane, and a dear friend, Lamour Rathbun. He was preceded in death by his father, his younger sister Doris, his mother, his loving wife Claire of 45 years, and his older sister Dorothy. Per his wishes, there will be no services. His ashes are to be scattered along his favorite fishing “slot” off Hope Island, Washington. Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at www.SerenityStG.com

Stanley James Manning

June 28, 1924 - October 4, 2014