Ralph Manley

Ralph Manley, 96, of Mt. Vernon, passed away May 6, 2019, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon. He was born Oct. 15, 1923, in Springfield, an identical twin, to his brother, Roland.
Anyone who knew Manley was aware of his love for America. His patriotism was a constant in his life shaped by his service in the Army. He served in the 101st Airborne as a demolition specialist paratrooper during WWII. He was involved in D-Day, Battle of Bastogne and Operation Market Garden. He used to say he was always where the action was. He attended Drury University and obtained both his undergraduate and MBA degrees from there. In 1973 he was given the Outstanding Alumni Award and recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Manley was a residential developer and builder for over 60 years in Springfield and was a founding member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield, serving several terms as president. His favorite job though was professor, teaching at both Drury and Missouri State University. He loved inspiring future generations and wished he could have taught students forever.
He is survived by: daughters, Janell, Jodell (Will) and Jennifer (Skip); four grandsons; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his wife of 58 years, Jayne; sisters, Louise and Dorothy; and his brother Roland.
Services were held at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church May 14, 2019, at 10 a.m. Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home was entrusted with all the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home, 1600 S. Hickory Street, Mt. Vernon, MO  65712, First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, 820 E. Cherry Street, Springfield, MO  65806 or to the Ralph K. Manley Endowed Fund at Springfield Public Schools Foundation at 1131 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO  65802.