Charles Jones McManis

CHARLES JONES MCMANIS,CWO/W4, USAF Retired, age 93, of Greenville, SC died Saturday, February 26, 2011. Born in McAlester, Oklahoma, on June 27, 1917, Mr. McManis was the husband of the late Lucille Pack McManis, and the oldest of six children born to the late Charles M. McManis and Margaret Florinne Jones McManis. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Jeanne Farris of Springfield, VA and Mrs. Anita Blackbird of Denison, Texas, Elwyn McManis of Plano, Texas and Thomas W. McManis of Arlington, Texas, granddaughter, Katherine Sue McManis; and two great-grandsons, Nathan P. McManis and Collin T. McManis. Mr. McManis attended Oklahoma Baptist University when World War II broke out in Europe. He enlisted in the U. S. Army, later USAF, with his best friend, the late David Mitchell of Myrtle Beach, SC. He was a 30 year veteran providing service and support in WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. He received the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) at his retirement for sustained superior performance, as well as other medals of recognition for service rendered. He was one of the first recipients of the MSM after it was created. In the early 1940?s he was selected by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company to be one of their representatives. He appeared on the back cover of the Life Magazine advertising Camel cigarettes and also appeared larger than life on a large billboard in Times Square New York City, New York, blowing actural smoke rings from the billboard for Camels. Mr. McManis quit smoking in the late 1950?s and never smoked again. Mr. McManis is survived by two sons, Michael D. Miros and his wife, Sandy of Greenville, SC, and Charles P. McManis and his wife, Jerri of Dandridge, TN; sister, Barbara Ann Neighbors and her husband, Roy, of Denison, TX; grandchildren, Michael J. Miros and wife, Valerie, Elizabeth P. Sawich and husband, Don, Christopher S. Miros and wife, Whitney, Pamela Ann McManis, Cynthia Lynn Boyd and husband, Kevin, Charles A. McManis and wife, Velma; eight great-grandchildren; and ten nieces and nephews and their families. Mr. McManis retired as permanent grade CWO/W4 and has affidavits where the general officer?s recommended him to congress for a commission as a Colonel, the recommendation was nearly an unheard of practice. While in the USAF, he spearheaded many of the personnel and manpower policies and procedures for the Tactical Air Command, Langley A.F. B. and USAF Headquarters, Randolph AFB, San Antonia, TX. As a young man, he sung in the church choir and in his school glee club as a tenor. This he attributed to his mother, who was full-blooded Welsh and of musical talent as well. Mr. McManis could whistle any song he heard. His favorite song, which he shared with his wife, was ?Apple Blossom Time.? Charles McManis was a truly remarkable man, intelligent, brave, and understanding. He was a dedicated golfer. As late as May 24, 2010, less than a year ago, he recorded his fourth hole-in-one while playing golf in Greenville. While in the USAF, he served as secretary and treasurer for the Langley A.F.B. golf course. At one point in his better golfing days (O handicap), he played with the late great Sam Snead. He worked crossword puzzles, celebrity quotes, word jumbles and other mind bogglers until the day he died. He was an excellent Bridge player, as was his wife, frequently winning at gatherings. He was also a member of the Retired Officers Assoc. and actively kept up with political issues, college sports and golf. He made many friends in the Dandridge area while visiting his son and playing golf. He was one of a kind and a kind that everyone who came in contact with him will miss. He was a Baptist by faith and a Republican in his politics. A Service of Remembrance will be held Friday evening, March 4, 2011, 6:30pm at Farrar Funeral Home Chapel and a graveside interment with full military honors will be conducted Saturday, 10:30am at Hills Union Cemetery in Dandridge, TN. Family will receive friends Friday evening, 6:00 to 6:30pm prior to services. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Dandridge, TN (865) 397-2711