Charles Vincent McManus
March 12, 1929 – June 27, 2021
Obituary for Charles Vincent McManus
Charles Vincent McManus passed away peacefully on June 27, 2021 at the age of 92. He was born March 12, 1929, to Vincent Charles and Willa Dee (Chelette) McManus in Port Arthur, Texas. He was lovingly raised by his father and Hazel (De Valcourt) McManus, after the death of his mother when he was 6 years old.
Charles grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, with his three siblings. He enjoyed sailing, duck hunting and working on cars. Charles graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1947. At the age of 22, he was drafted into the US Army serving in the Korean War as a Battalion Communications Chief for the 176th Armored Field Artillery, stationed North of the 38th parallel. During one of his leaves, his sister Bernadine introduced him to Mary Frances “Nippy” Kelly. Upon his return, they married in 1952 and were married for 67 years.
Charles worked for IBM for 25 years, starting his career repairing typewriters and ending his career managing a team of engineers who kept computers running for Fortune 500 companies. True to the IBM (I’ve Been Moved) reputation, Charles and Nippy moved often as their family grew, settling in Dallas in 1968 with four children.
When Charles wasn’t on call for IBM, he was often focused on a side-business. He had an entrepreneurial streak that kept him busy creating and working a variety of small companies, from wholesale plant sales to utility auditing. He also spent time with the family camping, boating, fishing and skiing at local lakes. Many happy family memories stem from these times. In 1976, he embarked on a grand adventure with Nippy, Marilyn and Connie as they drove from Dallas to Anchorage and back to visit son Pat in Anchorage.
Charles was a hard worker, dedicated father and community volunteer. He and Nippy were enthusiastic members of the Kissin’ Kuzzins Square Dance Club for over 40 years. Charles was a longtime member of Spring Valley United Methodist Church where he and Nippy were members of the Beacon Sunday School class. Charles inherited a love for building things from his father and would put his talent to use building sets whenever their church produced a play. He was also involved with Habitat for Humanity for many years and participated in numerous blitz builds in the Dallas area.
Charles is preceded in death by his wife Nippy who passed away August 2, 2020, his parents, his in-laws John and Adell Kelly and his sister Bernadine Carruth. He is survived by his siblings Ann (& Charles) Kimtantas of Sugarland, TX and Clyde (& Maxine) McManus of Spring Branch, TX, his daughter Vickie (& Steve) Tesmer of Richardson, son Pat (& Tuyet) McManus of Anchorage, AK, daughter Marilyn Sandoval of Bellingham, WA, daughter Connie (& Paul) Clement of Bellingham, WA, five grandchildren (Sarah, Dana, Jen, Mallory and Mary) and five great-grandchildren (Audrey, Violet, Isabel, Grace and Luke) as well as many extended family members. Special thanks are given by the family to Peter and Grace Eganza and the staff at Jackson’s Place who provided a loving, caring home for Charles in his final year.
All are welcome to join the family at the Celebration of Life for Charles and Nippy on Saturday, July 10th at 2 pm at Spring Valley United Methodist Church, 7700 Spring Valley Rd, Dallas, TX 75254. A reception will follow. If you are unvaccinated, please wear a mask. Thank you. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Charles’ name to the Spring Valley United Methodist Church Foundation, at the address above.
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Upcoming Events
Graveside
JUL 10. 10:00 AM (CST)
Restland Cemetery
13005 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75243
https://www.restlandfuneralhome.com/