Bradford Manning

Elliott Manning, a beloved son, brother, father, and a long-time resident of Yakima, WA, passed away peacefully due to age-related causes. He is preceded in death by his mother, Jean Manning, formerly of Port Angeles, WA and his father, Lee Manning, formerly of Carson City, NV. He leaves behind his children: daughter, Heather Manning-Varian of Port Orchard, WA and son, Blake Manning of Seattle, WA, as well as his two siblings: sister, Kris Sweeten of Sequim, WA and brother, Scott Manning of Port Angeles, WA. Unfortunately, Elliott had no grandchildren. Elliott, born in Honolulu, HI, was always in love with the sea. He joined the Merchant Marines in 1966, where he sailed on tramp freighters from USA Ports to Japan, the Philippines, and Viet Nam shipping goods to our troops fighting the war. He later joined the Coast Guard Reserves in 1973, in which he served for 26 years and retired as a port security man first class. Elliott worked in the private sector as a licensed journeyman electrician for 35 years (in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska). He worked mostly on military bases and for government projects around the Pacific Rim region. He was employed at the veteran's hospital in Portland, Hanford FFTF nuclear facility, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Johnson Atoll in the Pacific, Adak Naval Air Station in Alaska, and lastly the Yakima Firing Center from which he retired in 2004. Once Elliott gained retirement status, it opened the door to his true passion of sailing the seas! He had been a longtime fan of cruising the oceans; in later years he traveled on cruise ships enjoying the comfort and wonderful foods with the adventures they provided him. He spent several cruises as an international dance host in the Caribbean. Retirement opened the door to being able to travel and not being held to a schedule to return to work. He traveled by AMC military flights as much as possible, which, being on standby, was no guarantee he'd be on a flight. Now that he didn't have to worry about deadlines, he was free to come and go as he pleased!!! In Elliott's retirement, he lost count of how many trips and cruises he'd been on, but let's say he had earned the highest level of complementary service the cruise lines give out. Elliott truly enjoyed his retirement years. He was on his fourth or fifth passport!!! Elliott's interests were wide and varied. He built his own 2-story house by himself from paycheck to paycheck, "off the grid," all powered by a 12-volt electrical system on 20 acres that he bought in Oak Harbor, WA. He even had the lumber cut for the house from trees on his property, and had it milled and seasoned on site. In Hawaii he was one of the first to own an amphibious car, which he enjoyed driving down the boat launch and going for a cruise in the harbor and out to sea. What a sight! He also bought an amphibious DUKW from military surplus, which he rented out to the producers making the movie "Hawaii." The ocean scenes of the ship were filmed from his DUKW. He ran charter boats in Hawaii, New Port, OR, and West Port, WA for ocean fisherman. In Hawaii, he was a Licensed FCC Radio Broadcast Engineer at KORL AM 650 and KGU AM 760. The list goes on, but this is just a small sample of the many interests Elliott held in life. He was an amazing person who will be missed!!! To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bradford Manning, please visit our flower store.