Richard Walter Manley, 89, of Bella Vista, AR, passed away on January 28, 2026, at Circle of Life, Bentonville, AR. Richard was a member of New Life Christian Church in Bella Vista.

Born October 21, 1936, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Blake H.C. Manley and Lulamae Walter Manley. He graduated from Elkhart High in 1955.

A quiet, humble man, Richard was much loved by those who knew him in the many jobs he worked in his civilian career and in the churches he attended.  He was a thoughtful man when ready to contribute to a Bible discussion.  He was part of the "Gang of Three" service men who sparked much laughter in his Life Group in St. James' Church in Tempe, AZ.  He was always looking back and forth through the Bible and then would drop a question into the midst of the discussion that took the group aback.  Everyone would laugh and then discuss the question.  He was a deacon at Restoration Fellowship in Pagosa Springs, CO where he worked on church maintenance days and helped provide free manual labor to repair the autos of the several single women in the congregation, among other duties.   He served on the Security Team at River of Life Community Church in Elkhart, IN for many years.  At New Life Christian Church in Bella Vista, he was known for his slight little smile when he thought something was funny.  Sometimes he had a witty comment to add or just kept silent.

Those who knew him best describe Richard as a wonderful man, friend, and husband.  Others describe him as a quiet, sweet, and wonderful man.

As a retired Lieutenant, U.S. Navy in 1976.  Lt. Manley served, in order of service, on the USS Ingersoll, USS Sampson, USS Chicago, USS Parsons, USS Albany and retired from the USS Mahan.  He liked to remind people of the motto of the USS Mahan, "Aciduity," meaning attention to detail, as that's how he lived his life, both in the Navy and his civilian career.

Lt. Manley was an Assistant Test and Evaluation Officer at the Naval Weapons Lab in 1972 and was an Armament Proof Officer and Fire Control Officer.  His medals include Navy Achievement Award, Navy Good Conduct Medal 3rd Award for Period ending Aug 1966, Navy Expeditionary Medal (Cuba); National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Taiwan Straits), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnamese Campaign Medal.  As both an enlisted sailor and officer, Lt. Manley was a "Mustang."  He enlisted in 1956; was discharged 1972; accepted Permanent Commission as Officer the next day.

Richard was a graduate of East Texas State University, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 1980.    While completing his degree, Richard refereed many high school basketball games in the Texarkana, AR and TX area.  He loved refereeing and loved working with the students who were playing.  He later refereed high school and junior high basketball in the Pagosa Springs, CO school conference.

Richard worked for the Social Security Administration and the Area Agency on Aging in Lafayette, LA.  He moved to the Area Agency on Aging in Houston, then moved to Mesa AZ, to become Executive Director of a United Way "incubator" agency, MESA Community Action Network.  Under his leadership, Mesa CAN grew from a small incubator agency into a large agency serving low-income households in the City of Mesa with services including financial assistance and coaching, rent and utility assistance, educational assistance, employment assistance, workforce services and economic development.  His final achievement was the creation of a coalition of East Valley cities to create and fund the East Valley Men's Center.  Working with his staff member, Margie who was on the Task Force on Homelessness, the center opened in 1998 with Margie as Manager, housing up to 84 men.  As part of this contract between the East Valley cities of the Phoenix area and later Mesa taxpayers, center residents created plans for development of self-sufficiency, including sobriety, training, employment and saving money.  If rehab continued, they would continue to receive resources to assist in their efforts.

Richard was also a member of the Mesa Host Lions Club for many years, serving as Secretary, Treasurer and then President in 1991-1992.

Richard retired from Mesa CAN in 1999, moving from Arizona to cool Colorado to enjoy a full retirement.  However, his volunteer work continued, no matter where he lived.  From Colorado, he moved back to Elkhart, where Richard served several years on the Board of Directors for RETA (Reason Enough to Act), a Pregnancy Support Center.  He served as Executive Director 2014-2015.  The culmination of fundraising efforts under his leadership led to the purchase of a mobile ultrasound bus in order to make ultrasound available to those mothers who are unable to come to the Pregnancy Support Center.

Above all else, Richard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  His legacy lives on in the values he modeled - faithfulness, humility, service and love.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Blake (1970) and Lulamae (1981); son, Richard Warren Manley (1966); sister, Nancy Lou Thompson (2000); daughter, Kathryn Lynne Manley (2022); ex-wife, Karen Kidder (2018) and ex-wife, Carolyn Reeser (1998).

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Laura Beth Dawson Manley; son, Robert J. Manley; son, Michael O. Manley (Susan); stepson, Norman James Dawson; son, Blake Richard Manley (Christina); daughter, Kristin Lee Farwig (Tim); sister, Michele Ann Clark (Don).  He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Richard will be held at NewLife Christian Church, 15301 Mount Pleasant Road, Gravette, AR, on Saturday, February 14, at 10:00 am.  A reception will follow at the church.  A private inurnment for family will follow at Bella Vista Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://restorationfellowship.churchcenter.com/giving, with designation to YWAM, Humphreys, missionaries supported by Richard and Laura for 25 years, or donate to Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville.