John A. Mankin

Memorial Service: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2005, at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Memorial services for John A. Mankin of Gillette, Wyoming will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2005, at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

John Mankin passed away July 11, 2005, in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his family at his side.

John A. Mankin was born April 16, 1922, in Gillette, Wyoming, at the family home, 602 South Emerson. He was the youngest child of Adrian and Alice Mankin. John attended Gillette Grade School and Campbell County High School. He graduated from Scottsbluff High School, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, in 1941. He was a member of the 1941 State Basketball team of Scottsbluff High School. This was the first time a Scottsbluff team had won a state championship. John joined the U.S. Naval Air Force during World War II. He served aboard the USS Enterprise as a tail gunner on Dive Bombers (SPD). He saw action in the Pacific with Task Force 58 and was in the Battle of Midway. His plane and two others made three direct hits on a Japanese Carrier and sank it. He was awarded an Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. John and Aline Haight were married April 18, 1947, in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Two children were born to this union, daughter, Karen, and son, Randy. After John was discharged, he attended the University of Wyoming. He was a member of the 1948 NCAA Championship basketball team. He still has his watch and medallion. He later graduated from Chadron State Teachers College. John taught at Campbell County High School for twenty three years. He began in 1956 with sixteen teachers and four grades in the high school. He taught shop, P.E., and was Athletic Director for several years. He was assistant coach of the 1958 State High School Basketball Championship team. He started the golf program at the school and continued his interest in golf. He retired from teaching in 1979, and began spending his winters in Scottsdale, Arizona. John was also a farmer and rancher for forty-one years. His ashes will be scattered on this land. John took an active interest in many community affairs. He was a member of the Gillette Lions Club, a charter member of the Gillette Golf Club.

John is survived by his wife, Aline, one daughter: Karen Hayden of Casper, Wyoming; and one son: Randy of Scottsdale, Arizona; one sister: Opal Fulkerson of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; four grandchildren, three great grand-daughters, and numerous nieces and nephews.