Funeral services for Colonel James Thomas “Tommy” McManus, age 91, of Anniston will be held on Thursday, November 6, at 11:00 AM at Liberty Grove Congregational Methodist Church with Rev. Greg Norred officiating.  Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:00 AM on Thursday before services begin.

Col. McManus passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at his residence.

Survivors include: two sons, James Thomas McManus, II (Gale) and Walter David McManus; two grandchildren, Kristen Brooke McRae (Joe) and James Andrew McManus (Abbey); three great-grandchildren, Joseph Samuel McRae (JoJo), Jackson Thomas McRae, and Mason Coleman McManus; and three siblings, Wilson W. McManus, DVM, Philip E. McManus, PharmD, and Charlotte B. McManus.

Honorary pallbearers will be Andrew McManus, Joe McRae, Wilson McManus, Steve McManus, Karen McManus, Robby McManus, Will Sellers, Bill Thrash, Philip E. McManus, Wilson W. McManus, Greg McManus, Marvin Kirby, and Jimmy Wilson.

Col. McManus was born in Woodland, Alabama, on October 4, 1934, the second son of six children to Ferris and Irene McManus.  He graduated from Randolph County High School where he played both football and basketball.  Col. McManus attended college at Jacksonville State University, where he was elected President of the Student Government Association in 1956.  He met the love of his life, Peggy Lee Coleman, while at Jacksonville State and they married in 1956.  He enrolled in ROTC while at college and went into active military duty in 1957. 

Col. McManus’ military service included two tours in Vietnam.  He flew combat and rescue missions as a helicopter pilot in the Air Cavalry.  He was wounded during the Tet Offensive of 1968 from a mortar round and received the Purple Heart.  Col. McManus also received several bronze stars in recognition for meritorious service in Vietnam. Later in his career in Germany, he served as a battalion tank commander in 1975.  He graduated from the Air War College in 1979 and worked at The Pentagon before he retired from his distinguished military career in 1982.

Col. McManus was always active in the cattle business and returned to it full time upon retiring from the military.  Cattle farming brought him great joy and purpose in his later years.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Peggy Lee McManus; and two brothers, Lt. Col. Malcolm Sherrell McManus and Benny Ray McManus.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Liberty Grove Cemetery Fund at 21941 Highway 48, Woodland, AL 36280.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.benefieldfhwedowee.com.