John Gerald McManus Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

John Gerald McManus, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, age 86 ½ years passed away, surrounded by his family on June 24, 2022, at St John Ascension Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gerald, the only son of John L. McManus and Catherine Elizabeth Fitzgerald McManus was born December 3rd, 1935, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Gerald graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1954 and then attended University of Oklahoma. During the summer of 1958 Gerald married the love of his life Sami Kay Muller whom he had met and dated in high school. Together they returned to the University of Oklahoma to complete their education. Gerald graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1960. After graduation the couple returned to Muskogee, Oklahoma where he began his career as a structural engineer at the Muskogee Iron Works. He worked at the Iron Works until his career led him to Tulsa in the summer of 1966. At that time Gerald accepted a position at Patterson Steel Company where his career advanced. He belonged to the National Council of Engineering Examiners and was on the National Council of Registered Professional Engineers in five states. He was a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. His career took him to several companies, including Flint Steel Corporation in Tulsa and finishing his career working for the architect design company, BSW Architects of Tulsa, retiring in 2006 at the age of 71. Family was always the top priority in Gerald’s life. He shared 64 years of life, marriage, and memories with his wife. He raised and deeply loved two daughters, always keeping in close relationship with them, as their families meant the world to him. He was a longtime member of the Wauhillau Outing Club, Welling, Oklahoma. Here is where Gerald enjoyed quality time with his wife, children, and grandchildren at the family cabin. Gerald was a quiet, kind, patient man. He was a Christian husband and father demonstrating his faith daily loving God, his family, and respecting all of creation. Throughout his life Gerald enjoyed fishing the Oklahoma rivers, water and snow skiing, gardening, a good card game with family or friends, OU football and sitting outdoors listening to all of nature. Gerald’s all-time favorite was Christmas time with family. He loved everything about the Christmas season. He was known for his beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Gerald was preceded in death by his mother Catherine McManus and his father, John McManus of Muskogee, OK. Gerald is survived by his wife, Sami Kay of the home; daughters, Melinda Brewer and husband Robert of Tulsa, OK, and Patricia Godwin and husband Allen of Bartlesville, OK. Gerald was a granddad to Meredith Smith (Ryan) of Bixby, OK., Heather Cain (Adam) of Bozeman, MT., Addison Frazee (Daniel) of Bradenton, FL, and Matthew McKown of Tulsa, OK. He was great granddad to Meredith and Ryan’s children, Gentry and Noah Smith of Bixby, OK. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 8th at Greenhill Cemetery Pavilion in Muskogee, Oklahoma with Father Robert Dye officiating. In memory of Gerald McManus the family would consider donations to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org worthwhile.

John Gerald McManus

December 3, 1935 - June 24, 2022