of Little Rock, AR

September 10, 1936 - May 5, 2024

Donald Slaughter Manes, 87, of Little Rock passed peacefully from this earthly life on Sunday, May 5, 2024 to be with one God, the Father and one Lord, Jesus Christ for eternity (I Corinthians 8:6). Don was born September 10, 1936 in Memphis, TN, second son to Samuel Baxter Manes (Morrilton, AR) and Bonnie Audria Slaughter (Ione, AR). He was also preceded in death by his older brother, William Maxwell Manes of Brooksville, FL.

Don is survived by the love of his life, Eleanor Massie of Little Rock, whom he married in 1958. He credited Eleanor for leading him to Jesus Christ. Surviving Don are Eleanor; daughter, Kay (Gary Comer) of Little Rock and son, Steve (Debbi); grandsons, David Manes, Brian (Nicole) Manes and Jeff Manes and great granddaughters, Zelda and Aurora, all of Pittsburgh, PA.

Don had the demeanor of a man who smiled easily and often, challenged life and accepted the wins and the losses with a steady balance.

Don spent his work career in city and regional planning, land development and real estate finance as well as a short time in Arkansas state government. After retirement, he continued to work tutoring high school and college mathematics.

He began his career, returning to Little Rock from out-of-state higher education and an essential internship and acquired the fledgling planning firm of Gerald McLindon and Associates, with sweat equity and bank loans. Beginning in 1963, he was the founder and chairman of a planning, engineering and land development company that, over a span of 28 years, garnered more than $100 million in Federal grants for Arkansas cities and counties for their community renewal and development programs and for assistance to private landowners and real estate developers in building projects. As a city and regional planner in zoning activities, Don won as many battles as he lost. In the early 1990s, he prepared market analyses and economic feasibility studies for private and non-profit clients involved in elderly and assisted living housing. He then worked in mortgage banking as manager of a team working out distressed residential and commercial loans through preparing revised business plans and restructured mortgages. This multi-faceted career transitioned in the mid-1990s to becoming the Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Arkansas Building Authority, the state agency that owns and manages State's office buildings around the State Capitol and at other locations in Little Rock. After retiring in 2006, Don tutored high school and college mathematics, helping as many as 65 students along the way.

During the 1970s, Don was the Chairman or President of several community organizations, including St. Francis House; Central Arkansas Human Services Council (predecessor of Youth Home, Inc.); Pleasant Valley Property Owners Association; Christ Episcopal Church Vestry; an advisor to Good Shepherd the ecumenical Senior Living complex and to Watershed the non-profit social services agency. Don prepared the market and economic feasibility studies for the multi denominational Good Shepherd Retirement Center that led to the extensive expansion of the facility through the construction of the Rhinehart, Roberts, the Nursing Home and the assisted living additions.

While pursuing commercial interests in planning and real estate development, Don also prepared master plans and feasibility analyses for several church related complexes including the Episcopal Camp Mitchell atop Petit Jean Mountain, Little Rock's Methodist Camp Aldersgate, the Youth Home, the Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center and the Oasis Center of Little Rock.

Early in his career in urban and regional planning, he was the President of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Planners and later the American Institute of Planners. He was the President-Elect of the National Association of Facilities Administrators in 2005 while serving as the Deputy Director of the Arkansas Building Authority.

Don became a Christian in the early 1980's, influenced by Eleanor and other believers. While attending Fellowship Bible Church he was baptized by Rev. Robert Lewis, Senior Pastor. Don and Eleanor joined Immanuel Baptist Church in Dr. Rex Horne's second year (1991). He was a member of George Preiss's Sunday School Class, a class founded 35 years ago and then more recently as a member of the Buddy Sutton Class and the Tele-Bible Class. Don felt that he matured as a Christian under the preaching of Dr. Steven Smith, Immanuel's Senior Pastor.

As with almost everyone growing up in Little Rock in the 1950s, Don attended Little Rock Central High and graduated in 1954. While at Central, he was President of the Senior Class, the Key Club and the National Honor Society. He played football on the Wilson's Tigers and was the All-state center in 1953.

Don attended Columbia University in New York as a National Scholarship recipient, graduating with a BA in 1958. At Columbia, he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, an All-Ivy League football player and the recipient of the Alumni Award and the Miltch Prize.

Don received his Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University in 1960, which he attended as an Edward John Noble Foundation Fellow. The joy of attending Harvard was enhanced by taking his bride, Eleanor Massie there in early 1959 and witnessing his daughter, Kay's birth, actually from a lonely waiting room. In 1962, Don joyfully witnessed the birth of his son, Steve in Ft Smith, AR.

Funeral will be 11:30am Friday, May 10, 2024 at Immanuel Baptist Church Chapel with Bro. Gary Glasgow officiating. Family visitation will begin at 10:30am with burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park, Alexander, Arkansas.

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