Carl McMannis, 85, of Litchfield Park, passed away on January 11, 2013 at La Loma Care Center.

Carl Thomas McManis, whose passion for life and family was matched only by his dogged work ethic to build a successful career in the sporting goods industry, died peacefully at his home in Litchfield Park, Arizona, on Jan. 11. He was 85. The cause was heart failure.

Born to Eva and Ben McManis on March 22, 1927 in the oil fields of Grass Creek, Wyoming, McManis packed many adventures into a full and productive life -- including service in the Navy, a successful tenure as a high school football and basketball coach and a career in the golf manufacturing industry.

When he was just 17, McManis left high school early to enlist in the Navy Seabees, and in 1945 served on Truck Island and the Philippines in the Pacific theater. Returning to Wyoming and high school after the war, McManis earned honors as an All-State football player at Sheridan High School. He continued his football career in college, first at Montana State, then at Chadron State, a teacher's college in Nebraska. He earned a Bachelor of Science and also Diane Waugh, who would become his wife and be by his side for the next 61 years.

After college, McManis spent almost a decade coaching high school football and basketball in Nebraska, winning several conference championships in each sport and taking one of his basketball teams to the state championship game.

But it was the competitive world of business, which captivated McManis over the next five decades. He combined his love of sports and commerce first by being a sales executive for Wilson and Rawlings Sporting Goods companies. Later, he became president of Confidence Golf Company, in Southern California. He was so successful manufacturing golf clubs and equipment that he expanded the company into the Pacific Rim. Forming International Sports Consultants, McManis forged lasting business relationships and personal friendships with clients throughout Japan, China, and Taiwan.

Busy with work as he was, McManis always made time for his family. He and wife Diane were blessed with three children, Deanne Anders, of Palm Desert, Calif., Mike McManis and his wife Christine, also of Palm Desert and Sam McManis and his wife Beth, of Davis, Calif. He doted upon six grand children -- Chris Anders, Carl Robert McManis, Jesse James McManis, Casey Quinn McManis, Cormac Finn McManis and Maggie McManis.

Carl and Diane had lived for the past two decades in Arizona, first in Flagstaff and then in several cities in suburban Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish please make a donation to your local non-profit hospice.

The Sheridan Press - January 26, 2013.