Donald Wayne Manatrey's Obituary
Donald (Don) Manatrey, age 85, went to meet the Lord on Friday morning, January 20, 2023, at University Village in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Don was born on September 4, 1937, in Creston, Iowa to the late Maxine Easler Manatrey and Wayne (Dick) Manatrey. When he was 11, he moved with his parents and younger brother to Tipton, Iowa and was a 1955 graduate of THS.
After graduation, he worked in his father’s business, Manatrey Gas & Appliance, selling and repairing appliances. This would turn out to be his vocation and he spent his entire life in the appliance sales arena.
While in Tipton, he coached the summer youth baseball team winning 2 consecutive county championships and eventually earning a spot in the State Midget League Tournament in Atlantic.
He moved from Tipton to Cedar Rapids where he worked for the area’s largest appliance dealer, Standard Appliance Company, rising quicky to the position of Sales Manager. From there he moved from the retail side of sales to the appliance distribution side. That took him and his family to Sterling, Illinois; Cleveland, Tennessee; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and back to Iowa where he managed an appliance distributorship in Des Moines.
During his career, he was instrumental in the designing and manufacturing of the first Microwave Ovens and designed the Microwave Oven Turntable we still use today. He also brought back the Crosley refrigeration name brand for his dealers.
At the introduction of Microwave ovens, he bought 2 Friedman Microwave oven stores in Tula, Oklahoma, selling the new Microwaves complete with cooking classes in the new product.
He was a devout Christian as a member of the Methodist Church.
Don is survived by his wife Pat, a brother Joe (Pat), his daughter Sue Ellen Manatrey Staker (Dan); his son Jeff Manatrey (Julie), his stepson William Smith (Connie), stepdaughter Laura Raley (Mark), grandchildren Aaron Staker (Amanda), Chad Staker (Amy), and Branden Staker, Jesse Manatrey, Jenna Manatrey Lancaster (Austin), and Michelle Manatrey, great-grandchildren Rhiannon, Chi, Leila, Adeline, Daniel, and Allison Staker, Joshua Manatrey, and Nora Lancaster, Josh Walker, Will Babb, Chad Smith, Candie Smith, Curtis Smith, Autumn Stiles,
Don was preceded in death by his mother, father, son Michael and grandsons Kevin Smith and Johnny Jack Walker IV.
In lieu of flowers, his wife Pat is asking friends to make a donation to University Village 8555 South Lewis, Tulsa, OK 74137 in Don’s name.
What’s your fondest memory of Donald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donald?
Share a story where Donald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donald you’ll never forget.
How did Donald make you smile?