Joseph L. Manning of Huntsville, AL passed away peacefully on September 22, 2026. Joe was born in Kalamazoo, MI on February 23, 1947, to Joseph C. and June L. (Hittle) Manning. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, J.R. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Meg Webber Manning, daughter, Elizabeth; son, CJ (Caolinn Golden) and CJ’s three sons, Joe, Theo and Milo. He also is survived by his half-sister, Charlotte Manning Lemon; and numerous cousins and friends.
Joe and his parents and brother moved a lot around the Midwest during his early life, moving from Kalamazoo to Akron, OH, to Grand Rapids, MI, and ultimately, to Milwaukee, WI. He was always drawn to music, playing bass in the orchestra and tuba in the marching band in high school, and in rock bands throughout his high school and college years. He served in the US Army in Korea during the early 1970’s and returned to Milwaukee to attend graduate school. He and Meg moved to Ann Arbor, MI in 1976, where he worked toward a PhD in atmospheric physics at the University of Michigan.
In 1993, Joe and Meg and their children moved to Huntsville, AL, and that is when Joe started making music again. He played in various combos and jazz orchestras, performed in local musical theater orchestras and had standing gigs at several local restaurants.
At the age of 64 Joe was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He made the decision to retire at that time so he could make music and enjoy his family for as much time as he had left. Now, sadly, he has played his last song.
Visitation will be held at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place in the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo at a later date.
Joe’s family would like to thank the caregivers at Gentle Hearts care home for their exceptional, loving care of Joe over the past four years.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
