Charles (Chuck) William Manry, Sr., a beloved father, grandfather, veteran, and accomplished lead chemical engineer, passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 29, 2026, at the age of 89. He spent his final years in Benton City, Washington.

Chuck was born on January 12, 1937, in Decatur County, Georgia, to William F. and Vernice Mills Manry. He graduated from Mitchell County High School in Camilla, Georgia, in 1955 and went on to attend Auburn University, where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical engineering. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston. In 1960, Chuck married Patricia Fain. Together they welcomed a daughter, Pamela, in 1963, and a son, Charles Jr., in 1965.

A proud and dedicated veteran, Chuck served in the United States Army beginning in 1960 and continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve until his retirement in 1988. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his exceptional service.

Chuck built a distinguished career as a chemical engineer, combining technical expertise, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to safety. He made significant contributions to several major engineering projects and was granted a U.S. patent during his career. Among his most notable accomplishments was his leadership of numerous engineering efforts at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, including the successful restart of the PUREX plant in 1983.

Following his divorce in 1986, Chuck’s career took him to many locations around the country working for Raytheon Spencer labs. He eventually took a lead assignment at Johnson Atoll, where he played a pivotal role in the development of a facility designed to safely dispose of chemical weapons through controlled incineration. After completing that project, he returned to the Tri-Cities area and built a custom home on Red Mountain in Benton City.

Chuck’s last professional work continued in chemical weapons disposal at the Umatilla Chemical Depot, where he helped create a sister facility to the one he had helped develop at Johnson Atoll. That facility safely completed the destruction of the last chemical weapons stored at Umatilla in October 2011, marking the culmination of a remarkable professional career dedicated to engineering, safety, and service.

Outside of his professional life, Chuck had a deep love for the outdoors and cherished the time he spent with family and friends. He was actively involved in the Boy Scouts alongside his son, Charles Jr., and his good friend and Scoutmaster, Ralph Curran. Among his treasured memories was a memorable trip with the Boy Scouts backpacking with his son Charles Jr, and a horseback trip with his daughter, Pam, along the Oregon Trail.

Chuck was also an avid skier, a passion he pursued from 1978 well into the 2000s. A lifelong football enthusiast, he played guard on his high school football team and remained a devoted supporter of his alma mater, Auburn University, throughout his life.

He believed in giving back to his community and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Richland and Junior Achievement.

Chuck will be remembered for his warm spirit, strong work ethic, quick sense of humor, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Above all, he will be remembered for his love of family and the lasting impression he made on the lives of those around him. His legacy of dedication, perseverance, service, and love will continue through his children, grandchildren, family, and friends.

Chuck is survived by his son, Charles Manry Jr. and his wife Cari, and his grandchildren, Christopher Manry, Carl Manry, Veronica Thurman, and Elizabeth Thurman.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Thurman of Benton City, and his brother, Max Manry of Vidalia, Georgia.

His life was one of service, achievement, adventure, and family—a life lived with purpose and remembered with love.