Obituary of Michael Philip Manning
Michael Philip “Mike” Manning of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away at the age of 78 on May 4, 2021, surrounded by the love of his family. He suffered a cardiac arrest at the hospital as a result of post-surgical complications, following a valiant 5-year bout with cancer.
Mike was born in Lewiston, Montana on March 9, 1943, the second (and possibly most mischievous) of five children, to the late Philip Manning and Teresa Manning (nee Soltero).
He grew up in Billings, Montana where he attended Catholic schools, played football, became an excellent golfer, developed a life-long love of the stock market and became a consummate fan of sports and horse racing. He was a meteorology buff and loved road trips - especially to his treasured Yellowstone National Park.
Mike graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 1961, earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of San Francisco and received his Master’s degree from UCLA Anderson School of Management. His successful career in the field of finance started in New York and led him to jobs in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Omaha, and finally Las Vegas, where he retired in 2011 as Vice President of Fund Management in Private Client Services, for Wells Fargo Bank.
Retirement found Mike settled into a life spent on family, especially his beloved grandchildren, and calling on that math muscle to actually excel at Video Poker. You read that right. Most Las Vegans don’t gamble, but he had what his son-in-law affectionately termed “The Mike Manning luck,” racking up hundreds of royal flushes! He was a fixture at the Rampart Casino and his “second family” was made up of members of the staff who loved him dearly due to his kind heartedness, sweet smile and sly sense of humor. His play allowed him to provide lavish dinners and holiday brunches, as well as gratis suites at the adjacent JW Marriott Resort to any family members who came for a visit. Those fun memories will always be cherished.
Mike loved virtually every sporting event especially golf, football, horse racing and baseball. He lived and died with the New York Yankees and UCLA Bruins, but come game time he was also a “volunteer fan” for his son Darren’s Iowa State Cyclones, his son-in-law Jeff’s Wisconsin Badgers and his daughter Michelle’s Los Angeles Dodgers - his was the first text she received the instant they won the 2020 World Series.
Speaking of texts, Mike was always there with a knowledgeable word or humorous exchange for any family member, especially his kids and grandkids - and he was not miserly with the heart emoji’s, either! He was extremelythoughtful and always gave his family unconditional love. Every Sunday, he called his granddaughter Bailey to wish her well for the coming week - conversations that were always full of laughter. Each year, he carefully picked out just the right cat-themed birthday card for his daughter, Michelle - and nailed it every time.
He loved all sorts of comedy, from Laurel and Hardy and Jack Benny to Larry David and The Impractical Jokers. His own sense of humor is legendary and he would consistently insert it with near-perfect timing in any conversation or gathering. He paired it with that mischievous smile that always inspired laughter in everyone around him.
Mike’s positive attitude and resiliency in the face of his recent health adversity will forever serve as an inspiration to us. We miss him tremendously and will love him forever.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Don and John. He is survived by his children Michelle “Shell” (Jeff) and Darren “Minor” (GF: Lauren) grandchildren Olly, Aleia, and Bailey “Bailey Rabbit,” sister Phyllis Adler, brother Tom (Christine), sisters-in-law Georgia and Robin and many nieces and nephews.
Due to the Covid pandemic, a celebration of Mike’s life will be announced at a future time
