Final Salute

Uriel Vincent ‘Vince’ Manion Jr. passed from this life in the early hours of Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the age of 98. Vince was born in Howard County, Missouri, on March 2, 1925, to Nola Lessley and Uriel ‘Riley’ Manion. He was raised on the family farm until the family lost the farm, at which time they moved into the nearby town of Fayette, Missouri. During World War II, in January, 1943, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and he served with amphibious forces in the Southwest Pacific unit until July, 1946. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Central College in Fayette, Missouri, he resumed his service in the Navy as an Ensign (Supply Corp). Vince proudly served 25 years in the Navy as a Supply Corp officer, with assignments that included cruisers and destroyers in the Pacific and with Naval Air and SeaBee stations. He served during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam, distinguishing himself as a three war veteran.
In 1948, while on shore leave from the USS Pasadena in Juneau, Alaska, Vince met Donna Peyton at a dance hosted by the governor of Alaska. The couple’s relationship grew as they wrote letters back and forth and they were married in April, 1950. Vince’s Navy career would lead them on an adventure that included moves back and forth between a multitude of locations, including Hawaii, California, and Virginia. As a Navy officer, Vince attended Stanford University and earned a Master’s Degree in 1957. Vince concluded his career in the Navy with two tours of duty at Navy Supply Systems Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 1967, Vince retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander and the couple and their three sons moved to Eugene, Oregon, so that Vince could attend the University of Oregon where he earned his Doctorate Degree in 1971 and began his second career as a college professor. Over the next many years he taught at the University of Oregon, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and North Texas University. During his teaching career, he and his wife, Donna, established a non-profit educational corporation, Retirement Services Inc., which created materials and education programs for older workers approaching retirement. Vince, along with several colleagues, wrote the guide book, “Free To Do, Free To Be”, which was published and used in the many retirement seminars he conducted across the country. Vince and Donna’s retirement consulting work continued beyond his teaching career until they retired in 1991. In retirement, Vince enjoyed many hobbies, including gardening, fishing, motorhome travel, and writing. He and Donna also enjoyed genealogy and they produced two books tracing the Manion and Peyton family lines back to the 1700’s in the United States.
Vince was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Terrill Schuermann, and his son, Paul Vincent Manion. Vince is survived by his wife of 73 years, Donna Manion of Eugene, and his brother, Emmitt Lionel Manion (and wife, Cathy) of Hermosa Beach, California; two sons, Mark (and wife, Dana) of Eugene; and Rick (and wife, Babs) of Coburg; three grandchildren, Rob (and wife, Stephanie) of Portland, Oregon; Jenni Timms of Eugene; and David (and wife, Kim) of Seattle, Washington. Vince is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Rylie and Wesley of Portland, Oregon; and Hayden and Emmy of Seattle, Washington. Vince was affectionately known by his family as “Hobo” due to his many travels around the country and the world.
A Memorial Gathering for family and close friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you consider making a donation in Vince’s honor to Take A Veteran Fishing at Odell Lake, c/o Brice Perkins, 10403 Wildwood Lane, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 97603.

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