Jerry Wayne Manning

Jerry Wayne Manning passed away from bile duct cancer on Monday, June 8, 2020 at the age of 67. Jerry was larger than life at 6'6”, and blessed with an equally big heart. He lived a very full and storied life, enjoying great times with his family and friends. He was born in Houston, Texas on December 27, 1952 to Owen Van Manning and Ruth Mayard Manning. He was raised in Pasadena, Texas and graduated from Pasadena High School in 1971. He attended Rice University on a football scholarship and graduated from the University of Houston in 1977. He was endearingly known as “Shorty” to his family growing up and then “Big Un” to many friends. On July 27, 1974, he married Judy Lynn Wilson in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation in 1977, he began a long career in the financial services industry, first working as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch in Dallas, Texas. He soon became involved in the institutional bond business at Institutional Equity in Dallas before moving to Colorado in 1986. He founded his own institutional bond trading firm The Trading Desk in Englewood Colorado in 1987 which would later become Traders & Dealers Inc. Jerry and Judy were blessed with two children, his pride and joy, Stephanie and Brian. He cherished the opportunity of raising his children in the beauty and wonder of Colorado and all the adventures it afforded his family. He was so proud of his kids and felt fortunate to witness them each follow their passions in life. Jerry retired from the bond business in 2009 when he and his wife relocated from Colorado to North Carolina to be near their grandchildren. It was there he discovered the very best and most rewarding job of his career as Papa to Brayden and Clara. He adored his grandchildren and quickly became a Mr. Fixit as they thought Papa could fix and do anything. Those kids made him feel like a million bucks every day. Jerry was a natural athlete with a passion for sports, great music, cooking and politics. He was an avid reader and a master fly fisherman who greatly enjoyed the solitude of fishing mountain streams for trout and salt water bone fishing. For anyone who knew Jerry, they know he enjoyed a good joke and a good meal. He long planned to write a joke book and dreamed of owning his own restaurant, but all that fell aside the moment he put on his Papa hat. Jerry was predeceased by his mother and father, his brothers Owen, Larry, Dennis and Paul. He is survived by his wife Judy, his daughter Stephanie (Michael) and son Brian (Charlotte), grandson Brayden and granddaughter Clara. He is also survived by his brother James F. Manning, Sr. and sister Donna Barnett. Also surviving are nieces Joy Endreshak, his precious Cindy Wheeler, Jana Word, Ainsley Manning, Alysha Manning and Shelbi Stockdale. Many nephews survive him and include his dearest buddy James F. Manning, Jr., Dusty and Scott Manning, Trevor, Blake and Daniel Barnett, Jason Manning, Kevin and Kyle Manning and Berton Manning. Jerry was also blessed with 27 grand nieces and nephews, and dear friends all over the country, high and low. Early in his journey through life, he discovered a passion for helping others, especially those with a broken wing or just someone in need of a helping hand. In keeping with this tradition, the family requests no flowers, but rather a donation in his name made to Camp Carefree in Stokesdale, NC. This is a 401(c)(3) non-profit organization where his daughter Stephanie serves as Medical Director. This camp provides a free camping experience for children with special needs and chronic illnesses, as well as their siblings. http://www.campcarefree.org/help Due to the current pandemic, his family has chosen to hold a celebration of Jerry's life at a later date. Once the Covid-19 conditions improve and traveling becomes safer, we will be sending out notices for a gathering in the Houston, Texas area. Please bring your best and most embarrassing stories and photos to share with his children and grandchildren.

Jerry Wayne Manning

December 27, 1952 - June 8, 2020