James "Jim" Carroll Manning

James Carol Manning was born on February 27, 1929, in Roanoke Virginia to Huston Dudley Manning and Mary Ellen Manning. The youngest of four children, he was predeceased by his siblings Hazel Henry, Gladys Beatty, and Alvis Manning.

Upon graduation from Jefferson Senior High School in December of 1947, He joined the United States Air Force and proudly served during the Korean Conflict. While stationed at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, he met the love of his life Henrietta Ruth Gary and they wed in 1952. Their honeymoon was a drive half the way across the country to Blacksburg Virginia where James entered Virginia Tech and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1956. He spent 35 years working for NASA contributing to the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Viking, and Space Shuttle projects.

James was predeceased by his wife Henrietta of 59 years, his oldest daughter Jane Hogge and her husband Stanley Hogge. He is survived by his son Gary Manning and wife Maria of Virginia Beach and daughter Ruth Hannah and Husband Therril of Roanoke. He is survived by six grandchildren James Hannah, Ray Bracken, Katie Rush and husband David, Huston Manning and wife Emma, Emily Chalkley and husband Bryce, and Sara Rienhart and husband Colin, He is also survived by three great-grand children Jay Hannah, Mabel Manning, and Brianna Manning.

James lived a full and storied life from growing up in Roanoke, being a boy scout, working at Woodrum Field, learning to fly, working as an Aerospace Engineer, raising a family, and living long enough to see his grandchildren grow into adulthood and have children of their own. James Manning departed this world on March 5, 2026 at age ninety seven. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home Peters Creek Chapel. (540)366-0707.