Leon Wallace Manning

Fittingly, Leon Wallace Manning, one of the world's best dads, passed on Father's Day June 15, 2014 in Pocatello, Idaho. Our beloved father lived a full and accomplished life and was a source of support and comfort to many in their time of grief and need. His memory and love help us now through this loss. Dad was born in Logan, Utah on Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1926. He grew up in Preston, Idaho as his family struggled through the depression and then through World War II. To make ends meet his father, Virgil, took a job with Union Pacific railroad in Ogden and left his wife, Olive Ann Jenks, at home during the week to care for their five children who worked the family farm in his absence. From an early age dad learned to work hard and he instilled the value of hard work in his children. Dad could not sit still and always found something productive to do. Dad met our beautiful mother Gwen Briscoe in Pocatello and they married in Burley, Idaho on mom's birthday December 23, 1946. Dad's early jobs were doing body and fender and mechanic work in addition to working on the family farm and building a home in Preston, Idaho. Dad and mom sold their new home and moved to Pocatello in 1953 to start Manning Funeral Chapel with his late brother Allen. Through hard work and genuine caring for the families they served, these young brothers started with nothing and established what was at one time, one of the most successful mortuaries in the state of Idaho. Dad maintained his funeral director's license throughout his life and at his passing had one of the oldest issued licenses in Idaho. After selling Manning's in 1976, dad returned to the funeral business, this time with his son-in-law Jared Clinger. In 1993, dad and Jared started Colonial Funeral Home in Pocatello. With the same dedication and care for families, they built Colonial into a successful business committed to the families they serve. In addition to being a funeral director, dad built homes and was active in real estate and other business ventures. During his entire life dad looked for creative ways to help and to share his talents, resources and knowledge. He lectured extensively on the harmful effects of smoking, and was a leader in scouts and in the Young Men's organization of the LDS church. He used his skills as a mechanic to teach his explorer scouts that skill, and he helped them repair and sell cars to fund 3 trips to Hawaii. Dad loved to paint and his paintings decorated his homes. Dad and mom also decorated and painted scenery for church and school dances and plays, and he constantly served his church in every way he could. In addition to serving as a Young Men's President on Stake and Ward levels and in other roles, he served for several years as a member of the High Council of the Pocatello East Stake and as a member of the Bishopric of the Pocatello 21 st Ward. Whatever the job, he did it with utmost dedication. Although he accomplished much in the world's eyes, his greatest accomplishments were as a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved and was proud of his family. He was always there to support them in everything they did. He is much loved by all. Our mother, Gwen, survives dad and will sorely miss his loving care. Other survivors are his children: Leon (LeeAnn), Brent (Chris), Sheryl (Gene Anderson), Richard (Rochelle), and Michelle (Jared Clinger); 17 grand-children: Tracie (Brent Erickson), Kristie, Holli (Russell Watson), Justin, Britt (Heidi), John (Shannon), Ian, Hanna, Rachel (Shiloh Allen), Chris, Arrin (Marcus Barton), Ben, Austin (Angie), Mason (Jordan), Dane, Cody (Rachel), and Marshall; 23 great-grandchildren: Colton, Easton, Tyler, Dylon, Brody, Eli, Livia, Emme, Gentry, Brityn, Daniel, Lily, Gabriel, Tate, Isabelle, Caroline, William, Harper, Sam, Jonah, Lillian, Gwendolyn, and soon Scarlett; and two brothers, Darrell (Rochelle) and Denny (Sue). Preceding Leon in death were his parents; two sisters, LuDean Harper, and Norma Cummings; and his brother Allen Manning. The Manning family would like to express gratitude to Dr. LaVonne Mills, the caring staff at Copper Summit Assisted Living, Heritage Hospice, Roxanne Manteca, Art and Teresa Benavidez, and Lanae Wadsworth for all of their care. Services for Leon will be held Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11:00 am at the LDS Princeton Ward, located at 42 Princeton Ave., Pocatello, ID. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 7 - 9 pm, Friday, June 20, 2014 at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4 th Ave. Pocatello, ID, and again from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the church prior to the services on Saturday. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 54 West, Pocatello, ID. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.colonial-funeralhome.com [mappress mapid="28"]