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MANNING -- Melvin Joy Manning, Jr. of Oak Bluffs, MA died Monday, July 26, 2004 in Windemere Nursing Home. He was the husband of Margaret Louise (Grayson) Manning of Windemere Nursing Home and was married 53 years. Melvin, better known as "Tex", was born December 18, 1914 in Bellevue, TX, the son of Melvin J. Manning and Ida Grace Webb. He was raised and educated in Dallas, TX. Tex worked in his family's grocery business before obtaining his pilot's license at age seventeen. He worked in crop dusting and taught flying before starting a career with Trans World Airlines in 1944. Living at Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey and flying out of New York, Tex had an exciting career as a captain of all kinds of planes, retiring in 1976. Tex and Margaret spent twenty-four years living in Rio Rancho, New Mexico moving to Martha's Vineyard in 2002. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Rio Rancho Country Club. He was a member of the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club and spent many years on the race committee. Tex was also a member of the OX5 club and TWA active Retired Pilots Association. Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Patricia E. Benway and her husband, Bret, of West Tisbury; his son, Michael James Manning and his wife, Jane, of Sparta, NJ; three grandchildren, Mitchell and Julie Benway of West Tisbury and M. Jessie Manning of Sparta; his sister, Wilmeth Gregory of Galveston, TX; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Philip Manning who was also a pilot, killed during World War II; and his sister, Frances Ratcliff. His memorial service will be held in the Christ United Methodist Church, Church St., Vineyard Haven on August 7, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, PO Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for guest book .
        Published on: Sun August 01, 2004