Harry James Manning

OBITUARY LIFE REFLECTIONS

Harry James Manning was born on November 15, 1962, to the late James Harry Manning and Margrett Dawson in Camilla, Georgia. Harry departed this life on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the age of 63 in Gainesville, Florida.

Harry lived with his maternal grandparents Edress and Tressie Dawson in Pelham, Georgia, until he was five years old, while his mother Margrett taught school in Williston. His grandpapa, Deacon Edress Dawson, taught him about faith in the Lord, and he accepted Jesus in his life and was baptized by his grandpapa, Deacon Edress Dawson and Pastor Reid at the age of 4.

Harry attended schools in Camilla, GA, and Williston, FL, but received his high school diploma from Gainesville High School in June 1980. After graduation, at the age of 18 years old, Harry enlisted in the Marines Corps in South Caroline. Because of his scores on the ASVAB test and the Physical Fitness Test, his MOS was Electrical Engineer, and he was kept in the States for a year of training in the field of engineering.

Being honorable discharged from the Marines in 1984, he attended the Emergency One Technical School in Ocala, Florida, learning to build Fire Trucks and Emergency Trucks. After a year, Harry decided to accept a job at Georgia Pacific, where he worked for 20-plus years.

Harry was an avid sportsman. He played Middle and High School Football. He loved gymnastics taught by his mother in Physical Education along with his schoolmates. They would demonstrate their tumbling and gymnastic skills for PTO programs and at Annual May Day Festivities. His favorite Pro football team was the Dallas Cowboys; collegiate team, Georgia Bull Dogs. His hobbies were spending time with his beloved family, travelling, fishing, hunting and sitting under "the tree" with the boys in Williston.

Harry was preceded in death by his father, James Harry Manning, and his sister Michelle Yvette Wallace.

Harry leaves to cherish his memory his mother Margrett Dawson-Wallace (Pelham, GA), his devoted partner Lisa Reid (Gainesville, FL), his sister Bianca Kierce (Pelham, GA), six sons: Kantorey (Williston, FL), Antwon (Gainesville, FL), LaNeal (Atlanta, GA), Javeion (Gainesville, FL), Deveion (Savannah, Ga) and Keveion (Pelham, GA). 4 Grandchildren: Kantoria, Atlanta, GA (Kantorey), Jordan, Gainesville, FL (Antwon), Laiken & Lenix, Atlanta, GA (LaNeal). 1 Great-granddaughter: Ka'oia, Atlanta, GA (Kantorey). 2 Nephews, Kenneth S. Gross, Jr. Williston, FL (Michelle), Ladis K. Ross, Statesboro, GA (Bianca). 2 Nieces: Iesha L. Burch, Montgomery, AL (Michelle), Lael K. Williams, Pelham, GA (Bianca). Godmother, May Fairy Battle-Carter, Williston, FL. and a host of Dawson, Reddick, Manning and Wallace cousins; God brothers & sisters, other relatives and friends who will forever cherish memories of his life.