George Manemann

After fighting lung cancer for over three years, George Manemann of Biloxi, Mississippi went to be with our Lord on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the age of 66. Born in 1957, George began working the charter boats from the Broadwater Marina at 11 years of age. He attended Biloxi City schools including Lopez Elementary, Michelle Jr. High, and Biloxi High School.  

George continued working at the Broadwater Marina every summer until joining the United States Air Force in 1975. While in the Air Force, George was stationed at Volkel Airbase in the Netherlands from 1981 until 1984. He was also stationed at Incirlik Airbase, Turkey from 1992 to 1994 in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm and the Gulf War. 

The majority of his Air Force career, however, was spent at Keesler Air Force Base, first as a classroom instructor then later as a Career Development Course (CDC) Writer where he authored a three-volume study guide and the advancement test for military promotion within the 293XX career field. 

After retiring from the Air Force in 1995, George transitioned to civilian work with Grand Casinos of Mississippi, first as a front-line customer service employee at the Biloxi property, then later becoming the Training Manager for four distinct Mississippi properties, including Grand Biloxi, Grand Gulfport, Grand Tunica, and Grand's Corporate Offices on Seaway Road. 

When Hurricane Katrina came ashore in 2005, George and his wife Tracey took the opportunity to leave the casino business and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida where he applied and was selected to become a supervisor with the City of St. Petersburg Marina Services Division. A few years later, a similar position became available at the Gulfport Mississippi Municipal Marina to which he applied and was accepted as the City's Harbormaster for the brand-new post-Katrina Facility. 

George was also instrumental in bringing the Gulfport Harbor Lights Christmas Show to Jones Park in 2016, and that show continues to be extremely successful to this day. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Manemann of Biloxi; father, George Manemann, Sr. of York, PA; two sisters, Karen Alford, and her husband, Jacob Alford, of New Orleans, and Diane Punzo of Biloxi; his son, Daniel Manemann of Biloxi; daughter, Kendell Byrd of Gulfport; his grandfather, Reverend Victor T. Kissel (a founding member of Biloxi's Back Bay Mission); grandmother, Mabel Kissel; father-in-law, Richard Smith, and mother-in-law Wanda Smith. 

George is survived by Tracey Lynn Manemann, his loving wife of 24 years and care-giver extreme over the 3+ years of battling this cruel and unfair disease. Without Tracey caring for George 24/7/365, there is no doubt that his passing would have taken place in a much less positive and caring manner. Undoubtedly, she deserves all the support anyone can muster on her behalf, now and forever. He is also survived by his loving daughter, Angela M. Fletcher and her husband, Richard, both of Mobile, Alabama; and sister-in-law, Terri Lees. Other survivors include two grandsons, Devin and Tyler Davis of Gulfport; two nephews, Charles A. Punzo and his wife, Diana and Chris Alford and his wife, Chloe; and niece, Elizabeth Pape and her husband, Steve. 

His main message to anyone who will listen is.... If you are not a smoker now, do not ever consider starting. If you are a smoker now, make every effort to quit and go get tested for any cancer markers related to smoking. Had George not been a smoker, this whole situation would have turned out 100% differently. 

George would like to thank the amazing staff at Keesler Air Force Base's Oncology Services Department, the caring staff at Saad Home Health Care and Hospice, and the loving folks at Calvary Gulf Coast with notable regard for Pastor Jon Holaday and his wife Missy. 

George would greatly appreciate donations to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

A graveside service for George will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the Biloxi National Cemetery at the northern end of Veterans.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of George Manemann.