Philip Collins “Eel” Mann passed away at home on May 18 after a long battle with cancer. He was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 24 years ago. For most of that time he responded well to a series of treatments that allowed him to enjoy an active life, always with a positive outlook and a giving spirit.
Philip was born in Guntersville, Alabama October 27, 1955, the first child of Norma and Elmer Mann. He was known as Eel to many friends since childhood. Eel was not a reference to the fish, but the result of other nicknames that evolved over time among his friends in the Forest Drive/Sunset Drive area where he grew up. After living in the South Sauty area for 38 years, in 2017 Philip and his wife Vicki moved to Guntersville across the street from his childhood home.
A 1974 graduate of Guntersville High, Phillip earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alabama in 1980. In college he was in the TVA co-op program, working at the Bellefonte nuclear plant construction site in Jackson County for several semesters before joining TVA full-time after graduation. In 1988 he joined the Guntersville protective clothing company Kappler and worked there until his recent retirement.
Philip loved the outdoors and enjoyed bird hunting, hiking, golfing and time on Lake Guntersville. He was one of those unique people with dozens of “best friends”.
His biggest blessing was spending time with his sons, Jess and Lee, going to Atlanta Braves games, turkey hunting, duck hunting, grilling and hiking. When Jess and Lee married Philip was delighted to be able to include ‘daughters’ when he spoke about his children.
One of Philip’s great joys was spending time with his grandkids − pulling them in the wagon behind the lawn tractor, cooking for them and just playing with them.
Philip spent countless hours supporting the Methodist churches pastored by his wife, Vicki. At their current church, Warrenton Methodist, he taught an adult Sunday School class and often served as worship leader. Not only did he teach adults but also loved being a boys’ Junior High Sunday School teacher for years. He also received much enjoyment from teaching Junior Achievement for over 8 years in several surrounding High Schools. Even into the later stages of cancer, he served as a volunteer reader to young children at area schools.
Philip was a Mechanical Engineer by training and a teacher by nature. He had a unique ability to explain difficult technical concepts in layman’s terms that made them both interesting and understandable. That skill served him well in his role as Technical Director at Kappler, where he was instrumental in helping establish the company as the world’s leading innovator in chemical and biohazard protective clothing.
A natural leader and presenter, Philip trained hundreds of people in the use of safety apparel. He had a unique style that kept people entertained with his common-sense, folksy approach while they were learning complex scientific details. He also helped Kappler develop critical technologies for the company’s protective fabrics and garments.
No story about Philip would be complete without mentioning “Captain Eel” and the vehicle he drove as a teenager. The “green Travel-All” could be spotted on roads both paved and dirt all over Marshall County, piloted by Captain Eel with a vehicle full of appreciative friends along for the adventures.
Philip is survived by his wife Vicki, sons Jess (Brittany) of Birmingham and Lee (Audrey) of Guntersville, brothers Jim Mann (Robin) of Owens Crossroads and Bill Mann of Birmingham, and grandchildren Amelia, Isaac, Levi and David (Davy). He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Norma Mann and brother Robert (Nuba) Mann.
A Celebration of Life Service is planned at Warrenton Methodist Church Friday, May 23.
