Richard A. "Dick" Manion of Palm Bay/Melbourne FL passed away on May 05, 2019 at the age of 89.  Dick was a career US Army officer, an owner and operator of a small business in Kansas City, MO, and a conservative political activist.

Dick was born in Boston, MA and grew up in northern Maine. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Cornell University and a Master's degree in Political Science from New York University. He entered the US Army as a Regular Army officer after graduating as a distinguished military student in Cornell's ROTC.  Dick commanded field artillery units during the Korean War and in Vietnam. He served tours on the staffs of the Commander-in-Chief Pacific, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and – as liaison in the months leading up to the fall of Saigon and South Vietnam – the State Department in Washington, DC. He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) and the US Army War College. He retired from his last assignment as Director, Department of Strategy at CGSC.

Following military service, Dick started a computer business in Kansas City, MO and served as a satellite campus Dean for a small liberal arts college in Kansas City. He then lived in Georgia for 20+ years and became active in Republican politics highlighted by service as Columbia County Republican Party Chair. He was elected as City Councilman in Grovetown and was responsible for the initial planning for the development of the City's modern economic program.  His last residency was in Melbourne, FL. for the past 7+ years.

Dick, an avowed "New York Yankee" but avid Boston Red Sox fan – was preceded to death by "Georgia Peach" Billie Jean Schmitt Manion – the love of his life - in 2018. He is survived by 3 daughters, Mrs. Liane Henry (Husband Scott) of Oak Park, CA, Ms. Lynne Nungesser of Melbourne, FL, and Mrs. Lori Arnold (Husband Ken) of West Melbourne, FL. His 3 surviving sons include Richard A. Manion Jr. (Wife Rosemarie) of Port St Lucie, FL, and Robert T. Manion and Russell C. Manion of the Orlando area – and his 2 step sons – David Buff (Wife Janet) of Kansas City, KS and Marlon Buff (Wife Christy) of Lexington, SC. Dick and Billie had 21 grandchildren and even more great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Davis-Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory at 560 Montreal Ave Melbourne, FL 32935 on Wednesday May 15, 2019 @11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be given to the Georgia Good News Radio Network and/or American Cancer Society.