Charles Edward Manning, a 53-year Page, Arizona resident, passed away March 30, 2025 in Surprise, AZ surrounded by family and close friends. He was 85 years old.
Charles was born in Alexandria, LA, to Irnestine Finley Cobb and grew up in East Texas. A true Texan, Charles was a great athlete who excelled at football and basketball, and loved all sports. His father, John H. Cobb, encouraged him to join the Pipe Trades and Charles was a proud Union Steamfitter and Rigger with over 60 years of UA union membership. Charles was a proud member of the Arizona Pipe Trades Local 469 for 58 years. He helped build the Navajo Generating Station in Page, AZ, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Tonopah, AZ, as well as numerous powerplants across the United States.
Charles loved the Page area and spent time with his family and friends fishing, 4-wheeling, shooting, camping and hiking. He was passionate about kids and coached Pop Warner football in Page for several years. Charles loved photography and spent a lot of time perfecting his shots of Lake Powell and landscapes across northern Arizona and Southern Utah. He also learned and loved to crochet, making many beautiful afghans for friends, family, and charity auctions.
Charles had an adventurous spirit and would try anything from rafting the Colorado River, riding a wrecking ball on a job site, landing on Tower Butte in a helicopter and tandem skydiving at 80!
He loved his family and friends and was always ready to help anyone in need.
Charles was preceded in death by his sister Guynelle, mother Irnestine and father John. He is survived by his wife Shirley, son Trey (Rie), daughter Cyd (Judy), granddaughter Sarah (John), two great-granddaughters and three cousins. Charles will be greatly missed by family and friends.
In lieu of a service, please honor Charles’ life by recording a memory at https://gb774.app.goo.gl/Wk4Zf and/or by donating in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/
