Manion, Joseph Thomas “Tom” of Affton, MO, age 92 passed peacefully on April 20, 2019. He was born in St. Louis on February 16, 1927. He would tell you he was a “Lindbergh baby” since Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927. He married Margaret Agnes Schott on 9/12/53. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Peg, his son, Joseph Patrick Manion, parents, Joseph Aloysius & Ruth Emilia Manion (nee Thomas), 2 siblings that died in infancy (Ruth Berneil Manion & James Arthur Manion) & his great-granddaughter, Samantha Bohdi Kohn.
At 18, J. Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving in Norman, Oklahoma during WWII. He trained to be a gunner but once they found out he had 2 years of typing while attending SLUH, he was assigned to type discharge papers. He joked that he was in the Navy and never stepped foot on a ship! He was honorably discharged in August of 1946. He graduated from St. Louis University in 1950 and was introduced to Peggy by a friend of his sister, P.J. Their first date was at the Armory on St. Patrick’s Day 1953. He worked at Charles Crane Agency in St Louis from June 1949 until he retired in 1992. Tom was a forward thinker and convinced the agency to get a computer system before they were commonplace. Tom worked primarily in accounting and converted the semi-monthly payroll to bi-weekly which was greatly appreciated by his co-workers. Tom enjoyed playing the piano his entire life, especially when people sang along. He also loved to do jigsaw puzzles, play card games (Bridge club for more than 3 decades) and Mexican train.
Tom worked hard his entire life to support and raise his family. He lived his life to the fullest and rarely complained about anything except being stuck in the finger to get a blood sugar reading several times a day. He appreciated the little things that everyone did for him.
J. Thomas is succeeded by his sister, Patricia Jean “P.J.” Manion, S.L. currently residing at the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky. Proud father of 6 children Kathleen (Michael) Morgeson, the late Joseph (Janet) Manion, Margaret (Mark) Maness, Mary (Ron) King, Michael (Patti) Manion and Christine (Wayne) Holtzmann. Tom had 11 Grandchildren: Christopher Morgeson, Jennifer Andrews, Jon Maness, Rebecca Kohn, Elizabeth Reynolds, Ronald Joseph King, Veronica McGrath, Michael Robert Manion, Jessica Manion, Caleb Holtzmann & Benjamin Holtzmann. As well as Great-grandchildren: Tommy McGrath, Lydia McGrath, Morgan Kohn & Alaina Manion.
Visitation on Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 4:00 to 8:00 at Affton Kutis. Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 26 at 10am at St. John Paul II school chapel (formerly St. Dominic Savio Church) 7748 Mackenzie Rd, Affton, MO 63123. Interment to follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.