Jack Jeffrey (Manley) Mann April 8th, 1947 - October 3rd, 2026. (79 years, 5 months, 26 days)

Jack Jeffrey Mann, 79, of Columbia, Missouri died at his home after a hard fought battle with esophageal/gastric cancer on October 3rd, 2026.

Jack was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Culmon O. and Evelyn R. Manley who preceded him in death. He attended school in St. Louis, Missouri including Patrick Henry elementary school. Following his parents’ death in 1957, he was moved to the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home in Bridgeton, Missouri at the age of 9 along with his beloved older brother Doug.

Following his time at the children’s home, he moved to Boonville, Missouri where he was adopted by Sheriff Lylburn Mann and his wife Lucille who preceded him in death. He attended David Barton Junior High and Laura Speed Elliott High School in Boonville, Missouri. Jack was active in many sports including football where he was the quarterback and baseball where he was a pitcher. Following high school he attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Education. Jack met Helen Purl through a family friend and they were married in Versailles, Missouri on December 20th, 1967.

A devoted family man, Jack will be remembered above all for his infectious, quick-witted sense of humor that could find genuine laughter in almost any situation. He loved a well-placed yell or whistle or silly antic in a public place. Nothing mattered more to him than family, a deep devotion that naturally spilled over into a fascination with genealogy–spending countless hours discussing and unearthing long-forgotten family branches, theorizing why people chose the paths they did, and preserving the stories that bound generations together. An avid reader and pondering thinker, Jack held a sharp, curious mind for history and politics, always ready for a spirited living room debate, a lively election-night discussion, or a deep dive into the historical events that led to current events. Jack leaves behind not only a rich legacy of family stories, but countless memories filled with laughter, love, and lively conversation that will echo in the hearts of family and friends for years to come.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and brothers James Mann, Culman Manley, Donald (Shirley) Manley, David Manley, Doug (LaDoris) Manley, and an infant brother Robert Manley, sisters Mary (Norman) Getz, and Gloria (Joseph) Zucha, sister-in-law Mildred (John) Corcoran; brothers-in-law Herman (Jackie) Purl; and Warden Purl.

Jack is survived by his wife Helen of the home and five children: Angela (Steve) Andrews, Olathe, Kansas; Jason (Sherry) Mann, Holt’s Summit, Missouri; Timothy (Monica) Mann, Columbia, Missouri; Lori (Brian) Biggers, Rockwell, North Carolina; and Michael Mann, Columbia, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren: Adam Andrews (Marissa Sullivan), Overland Park, Kansas; Collin Andrews (Shannon Rose), Shawnee, Kansas; Mason Andrews (Abby LaMunyon), Olathe, Kansas; Bryce Mann, Jefferson City, Missouri; Makayla Mann, Columbia, Missouri; Ruben Mann (Rosie Sedig), Columbia, Missouri; Isaac (Lillie) Biggers, Charlotte, North Carolina; Sophia (Wian) Grobbelaar, Charlotte, North Carolina; Jack (Toluwani) Biggers,Charlotte, North Carolina; Noah Biggers, Rockwell, North Carolina; and Chloe Biggers, Joseph, Luke Biggers, Ava Biggers, Jude Biggers, Rockwell, North Carolina; and three great grandchildren: Harper Mann, Brian Biggers, Emzara Biggers, and another great grandson on the way. He is also survived by his sister Becky Mann Smith (Stephen Smith), Lee’s Summit, Missouri; brothers-in-law Rodger Purl (Ronda), Springfield, Missouri and Ivah Purl (Lisa Koval), Eldon, Missouri; and sister-in-law Donna Mann, French Valley, California. Jack will also be remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews, and cousins who will reflect on his sense of humor, quick wit, and love for his family.

Donations in memory of Jack may be sent to Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries in Columbia, Missouri.

A Funeral Service for Jack will be held on Saturday, October 10 at 1p.m. The family will receive friends for visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Ashland.