Verlin Harvey Manning (a.k.a. Herb) was born on August 26, 1941 and passed from this earthly life peacefully at the age of 82 on March 23, 2024 in Durant, Okla. Verlin was born in Washington, Ind., to Harvey and Orvada Manning. He was affectionately given his nickname of “Herb” by his older brother at a very young age. This nickname stuck and most people only know him as Herb even to this day.
Growing up in Elnora, Indiana Herb went all through school with Connie Sims from first grade through high school graduation. Herb and Connie began dating their junior year of high school and quickly fell in love. They were married in a double wedding ceremony with Connie’s sister, Jan and her husband Glen on August 3, 1962. Over the past nearly 62 years of marriage, Herb and Connie raised three children: Ron, Debra, and Cara and have welcomed in-laws: Kerry, Jeff, and Mark. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A successful career in management with the JC Penney Co. brought Herb and Connie from Indiana to Missouri and finally to Durant, Oklahoma. He retired from that company in 1988. After retiring from JC Penney, Herb worked at Southeastern Oklahoma State University Small Business Development Center for several years. Herb was always busy with extra jobs which were hobbies for him including his final hobby of owning Durant Golf Cars.
Herb was a significant presence in the lives of many people including countless friends of his children throughout their childhood. He coached several little league football teams, making an impression that would last a lifetime to those he coached. He enjoyed attending sporting events to watch his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, who in his eyes were always the best players on the team. Countless hours of his exaggerated story telling helped to create significant memories for friends and family throughout Herb’s life. This was especially true for all of those who ever had the unique privilege of spending time with him in “the deer woods,” which we all know Herb was never truly hunting. Faith, family, and friends were a top priority for Herb. He loved with a big heart while also being sure to give those closest to him a hard time and a good laugh whenever possible. He will be greatly missed by family and friends, young and old, near and far.
Herb was preceded in death by his sister, Fredonna Jane Manning; parents, Harvey and Orvada Manning and brother Marvin Manning.
He is survived by his wife Connie, of the home; children: Ron Manning and wife Kerry of Durant, Okla., Debra Hendrix and husband Jeff of Choctaw, Okla., Cara Jernigan and husband Mark of Edmond, Okla.; grandchildren: Chase Manning and wife Jessica of Durant, Okla., Jessica DeSpain and husband Bryce of Tuttle, Okla., Logan Hendrix and fiancé Logan Moulds of Oklahoma City, Okla., Kylie Manning and fiancé Kyler Beshirs of Belton, Texas, Cameron Jernigan and fiancé Macy Lewis of Edmond, Okla., McKenzie Goodin and husband Jon of Edmond, Okla., Drake Bass of Edmond, Okla., Kash Jernigan of Edmond, Okla., and great-grandchildren: Ruger and Shep Manning and Kyson and Cohen DeSpain.
Family Hour for Herb will be from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home.
His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at Durant Church of Christ with Laynie Heitz and Logan Cates officiating. Herb will be laid to rest at Highland Cemetery following his funeral service.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, 121 N. Fifth Ave. in Durant.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com