Charles Jeffrey Manning

Charles was born at Saint Francis Hospital in Lynwood, California in 1958. He grew up in a close-knit group of family and friends and learned the value of hard work, friendship, and dedication from a young age, during his time spent between Southern California and the snowy mountains of Utah. Following his studies and graduation from Otis College of Art and Design and UC San Diego (along with his time in flight school), Charles decided to pivot to a career as an airline pilot, after which he went on to have a successful career in the industry (where he most recently spent 33 years with United Airlines). Charles was known among his peers as a dedicated captain and avid member and contributor of the Air Line Pilots Association (gracing many of their magazine covers with his often politically charged art and cartoons).

Charles married his first wife, Carole, in 1982, and together, they brought into the world three loving children - Charles Dylan, Carly (passed away in 1999), and Tymon - who were his pride and joy. After the couple divorced, Charles married his second wife, Jessica, in 1999, and they finalized the family’s expansion with Charles’ final true pride and joy, Sydney Sierra, who was born in 2004. Charles was also a cherished grandfather to his three granddaughters, son to Barbara and Charles Syd Manning (passed away in 2011), brother to Brent (passed away in 1968) and Mardi, and friend to his group of unofficial brothers and best friends.

Charles could always be found either on the boat (or wakeboarding behind it), at the beach with a longboard, in the garage creating art, or somewhere outdoors with his loved ones around him. As his daughter, Sydney, was growing up, this also included many happiness-filled trips to Disneyland. Charles was known for his infectious laughter, crude sense of humor, and his ability to make everyone around him feel just a bit more special for having time with him.

Charles will be remembered for his enduring and contagious zest for life, his ability to lift anyone’s spirits, and for the sun or snow-filled memories full of love and light that he has left for so many of us to cherish. He will be forever in our hearts.

He is survived by his wife, Jessica; his children, Charles Dylan, Tymon, and Sydney; his mother, Barbara; his grandchildren, Lily, Julie, and Clara; and his sister, Mardi.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association Make a Donation https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate