Avery Manning

Avery Manning (October 1st 1929 - May 2nd 2011)

This site is dedicated to Avery Manning and the people with whom he shared life. Here, is a short biography of Avery's life. My hope is that, through these writings, you can enjoy and appreciate a man who was nothing but an enjoyment to everyone he came to know.

Early Years

Avery Manning was born on October 1st, 1929 to a family of three (not including him) he had one other sister, two years older than him. His parents were Gene and Terri Manning - a german immigrant couple who decided to settle down in Ohio. Avery's father worked at a local steel mill while his mother stayed home and took care of him and his sister - both of whom attended primary and secondary school there in Ohio. Even though Manning's family wasn't terribly wealthy - the group were comfortable and high spirited most of the time. Avery and his sister would end up living their whole lives in Ohio - both starting and raising their families in the same small town they were born in.

Growing Up

Avery grew up and became like most every other kid in his generation, riding bikes, seeing movies and getting into trouble. He went to Simon Kenton High School in Ohio where he lived; also, in a neighborhood with other boys and girls who he was good friends with. They all belonged to a local swim club where he and his buddies spent most of their time; relaxing by the pool, occasionally rising to impress passers by with their diving capabilities. When Avery graduated form high school he continued hanging out and working at the swim club, eventually to meet his future wife there, another frequent patron. The two attended college together at Kent State University where they would continue dating and sharing life. However, at the end of schooling, Manning received a job as a photojournalist with the Army; after a tour spent traveling the world - Avery ended up back in Ohio to find Evelyn - right where he had left her.

Avery Manning the Man

Avery and Evelyn became married in 1967 at the ages of 38 and 37. They got married in Des Moines Iowa where Evelyn spent most of her childhood before moving to Ohio where she met Avery. The two started their own family in 1973 with the birth of their first child Gwen. Two more babies would follow (Gregory and Shauna) and grow up to be healthy men and women. In 1985, the two started their own business; doing nationwide logistics - dealing with and organizing truck routes for the transportation of goods across the country. It was nothing glamorous however very lucrative. The two saved a lot of money and were able to put their kids through college. The couple retired up in Ohio near most of their family. In 2001 Shauna passed away from liver disease and, Avery continued to live in Ohio.

Later In Life

Towards the end of his life, Avery spent most of his days at the house he lived with his wife in for 25 years. He was never admitted into any sort of nursing home but, remained ambulatory even towards the very end; enough to take care of himself and his house for the most part. During the holidays he would still host his children and their children for a nice meal and quality time. Earlier this year, Avery's neighbors found him dead in his living room; morticians would later declare he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Manning was 85 years old.