San Antonio, Texas - Major Tommy L. Manley (USAF Retired) "slipped the surly bonds of earth" and passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, at the age of 93. He was born in Greenville, Texas to Emmett and Jettie Manley, and graduated from Greenville High School and East Texas State University. Tommy entered the Air Force in 1955 and graduated from pilot training in 1956. During his Air Force career, he attended Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He also earned 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 17 Air Medals, and the Meritorious Service Medal. His career took him to Montana, Texas, Minnesota, Germany, Iceland, and Thailand. As a command pilot, he flew a variety of aircraft including the F-94C, F-89, F-101B, T-33, and A-1 Skyraider. While in Thailand, he flew 185 combat missions supporting special operations in Southeast Asia.

During his flying career Tommy amassed over 8,000 flying hours as an Air Force fighter pilot, airline transport pilot, and certified flight instructor. After retiring from the Air Force, he became a certified association executive and managed the Arrowhead Builders Association and the Duluth Builders Exchange, both in Duluth, Minnesota. After returning to Texas in 1996, he volunteered with the Bexar County Appraisal District.

During his life he was a member of the United Methodist Church, Daedalians, American Society of Association Executives, International Builders Exchange Executives, A-1 Skyraider Association, Red-River-Valley (River Rats) Pilots Association, and the Caterpillar Club.

Tommy was preceded in death by his first wife Rachel and his second wife Peggy. He is survived by sons Andrew (Leesburg, VA) and Kirk (Dallas, TX), daughter Martha Peabody (Maple Grove, MN), stepchildren Terri Woodard (Palestine, TX) and Tracy Durham (Palestine, TX), eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

A service will be held in San Antonio, Texas at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on April 14, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Warrior Family Support Center, USO San Antonio, 3138 Rawley E. Chambers, San Antonio, TX 78234; or donate online at https://www.uso.org/donate/sanantonio.

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