Obituaries

 Robert Prentice “Bob” Manning of Wylie, Texas, passed from this life in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 13, 2019 with his family by his side, surrounding him with love. He was 86. 

         Bob was born Feb. 27, 1933 in Amigo, West Virginia. He grew up in Black Eagle, Mullens, and then Beckley, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1950. He served in the United States Navy in 1950 and West Virginia National Guard 1951-53. He earned a Business Associate's Degree at Beckley College. 

Bob met and married Barbara Gail Darby in Beckley in 1954. Soon after, he launched a successful 22-year computer sales and management career with Burroughs Corp. Promotions at Burroughs  took Bob and his family to Oil City, PA; Bloomfield Hills, MI; Lima, OH; and Mobile, AL. 

An executive position at Recognition Equipment Inc. brought Bob and his family to the Dallas area, where he lived for 41 years. With Graham Magnetics and then Data Medical Associates, he traveled the world as an international sales executive. 

Bob’s lifelong passion was sailing. He bought his first sailboat in 1966. As members of Corinthian Sailing Club on White Rock Lake in Dallas, he and Barbara frequently competed in regattas and sailed for pleasure. 

His greatest pride and joy came from being a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He devoted his retirement years to his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family. He lived each day with a servant's heart and a positive attitude.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Johnson Manning and Margaret Ann Prentice Manning, and his beloved grandparents, John and Emily Prentice, who raised Bob and his brothers after their parents died.

He is survived by the love of his life, Barbara Gail Darby Manning; his brothers, Eugene "Jack" Manning Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, and Ronald Manning of Glasgow, WV; children Robert Prentice Manning Jr. of Wylie, TX, Laura Beth Manning McGee and husband Dan McGee of Rockwall, TX, and Stuart Darby Manning and wife Sha-Chelle Devlin Manning of Fairview, TX; and grandchildren Jon Manning, Kathryn McGee, Chris McGee, Devlin Manning, Darby Manning, and Sage Manning.    

Flowers are welcome, or you may send donations in Bob’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Project or charity of your choice.