Richard Ray Manning, NHS Class of '63

Richard Ray "Dick" Manning
(January 14, 1945 - December 19, 1971)

Richard Ray "Dick" Manning, son of Bill and Chris Manning, was a member of the Natchitoches High School Red Devils band.  An avid horseman, Dick spent many days riding his horses, namely "Devil", from his North Williams Avenue home. 

After high school, Dick attended Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Aggie Band and the Corp, Leaving to serve four years in the United States Marine Corp as a jet hydraulics mechanic stationed in Japan.

After his service, he returned to Texas working in Lufkin for two years then back to Texas A&M majoring in civil engineering.

Classically trained, he had a pure talent on the piano with an ability to play tunes by ear after hearing them only  once.  One of his original piano compositions was premiered at his niece's solo piano recital in the former Natchitoches High School building, now Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, in 2004 with his longtime teacher Dr. Paul Torgrimson in attendance.

On December 19, 1971, Dick was killed in an automobile accident in East Texas on an early Sunday morning.  The City of Natchitoches dedicated the public park in Shamrock Park Subdivision in his honor.  Dick never married and had no children but is still dearly missed by his mother, sister Kay Steed, and sister Janice Bolton.