Sherrell Dane Manning, 91, a wonderful son, husband, father and friend, passed from this life into eternity July 6, 2026. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 17th, at 11:00 AM at Pathway Church in Burleson. Visitation will also be Friday, July 17th at 10:00 AM, also at Pathway Church.

Sherrell was born August 28, 1934 in Weaver, Texas, the only son of public school teachers George Noble Manning and Katherine Bailey Manning. His family moved to the Lubbock, Texas area in 1939 where he spent most of his formative years.

As the child of two teachers, Sherrell grew up appreciating the importance of a good education. He graduated from Lubbock High School in 1952 where he played on the 1951 state championship football team. He later played football at San Angelo Junior College before earning his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1957. He earned a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from SMU in 1962 and a PhD in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech in 1969 where he had served as an instructor in the Civil Engineering Department. He was a big supporter of Texas Tech Red Raider athletic programs.

Sherrell worked 40 years as a respected aerospace engineer for Convair, General Dynamics and Lockheed-Martin. He shared his research on aircraft stress durability at numerous conferences across the world including the U.S., Australia, China, Russia, Germany, and others. He was a registered professional engineer, a member of ASTM, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, International Committee of Structural Safety, and listed in American Men of Science. He co-authored a book on probabilistic fracture mechanics, the U.S. Air Force’s Durability Design Handbook for Metallic Airframes, and over 90 technical publications. In 1992, Sherrell was inducted into the Texas Tech University Engineering Academy. He retired in 1996.

Sherrell loved team sports, fishing, and racquetball and was committed to working out regularly to stay in shape. He was a loving model of fatherhood for his children and grandchildren. A committed student of the Bible, Sherrell made his Christian faith a practical extension of kindness and service to others. His humility and sweet nature never changed.

He and his wife Mary were members of St. Luke Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Ft. Worth for 27 years, where he was an elder and a Bethel Bible Teacher, small group leader, and head usher. They later joined St. Matthew Cumberland Presbyterian Church (now Pathway Church).

After retirement, Sherrell served as a trained Stephen Minister for nearly two decades offering practical support and a listening ear to those suffering from grief, job loss or other life challenges. He helped develop the Tarrant County Stephen Ministry Network which included 55 area churches. Sherrell was named Tarrant County Stephen Minister of the Year in 2005.

Manning is survived by his wife of 51 years Mary Manning; children Dan Manning and wife Becky, Chris Manning and wife Carol, Allison Manning Eubanks and husband Blaine, Matt

Jackson and wife Donna, Marla Jackson Bailey and husband Keith; 13 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of James L. West Center for Dementia Care, Pathway Church and St. Gabriel’s Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to any of the above organizations.

Services: A visitation will start at 10:00 a.m. with a service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2026, at Pathway Church, 325 NW Renfro St., Burleson, TX 76028.