Fred Eugene Manke, born November 19, 1938, passed away May 19, 2026, at the age of 87.
Fred was surrounded by those who loved him until he took his final breath. Fred’s early years were spent with his parents Gus and Martha Manke and sisters Eleanor and Dorthea along with his twin brothers Arthur and Arnold. He also had two older siblings who were deceased.
Fred grew up on a family farm in Modesto Ca. He would milk the cows as a child along with farming various crops. He went on to graduate from Modesto High in 1956. After High School, Fred went on to college. He went on to earn his associate’s degree from Modesto Junior College (1958), from there, Fred attended college at Cal State Fresno, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree (1960). Fred then went on to multiple colleges earning a master’s degree in agriculture sciences (1965). He then shifted his focus to teaching and earned another master’s degree in teaching from Cal State San Jose (1969). After college, Fred landed a teaching job at Grace M Davis High where he would eventually retire at the early age of 56.
Fred never lost his passion for farming; he was a true hard worker not only teaching but farming almonds and owning multiple rentals throughout Modesto. In 1977 Fred and Sally (now divorced) welcomed his only child Matthew David Manke into the world and Fred’s life was never the same. He always somehow figured out how to work his multiple jobs while allowing for one-on-one time with Matt. Fred and Matt went on many adventures together some for just the weekend and some adventures that would see them traveling for up to a month straight. His true passion was not only being the best father to Matt but also being Matts best friend. This special father-son bond continued into Fred’s older years and even until his last breath.
In the 90’s Fred went on to meet the love of his life, Mary Sue Ford. Fred and Mary loved one another very much. They went on a lot of adventures from cruises, to trips to the beach and the mountains. As they grew older together their trips started to become more one day trips to the Casinos. In Fred’s later years he became a grandpa to 4 wonderful Grandchildren he was the very best grandfather any of the kids could ask for. Through all of this Fred would always find time for his one-on-one time with his son fishing at one of their favorite rivers, (Carson Rivers, Walker Rivers, Stanislaus Rivers). If the fishing was bad, no one would ever know it because Fred and Matt were probably off gambling at the closest casino to whatever place they were at. As Fred went into his later years, he started traveling less and shifted his focus to spending time with family, and Mary and Fred’s close friends. He really loved playing with his grandchildren and watching them grow. Fred was not only a true friend to those who knew him but most of all a very passionate loving and devoted family
man. Today Fred is up in Heaven reunited with his family and friends and hopefully he is enjoying as many Heavenly adventures as he can.
Fred is survived by his son Matt Manke and Daughter in law Renae Manke along with 4 grandchildren Madison Manke, Tyler Manke, Bryanna Ussery, London Ussery; his soulmate and love of his life Mary Ford and her sons Scott Ussery and Shawn Ussery.
Viewing will be held at Allen Mortuary on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 4:00-7:00p.m. Funeral service will also be held at Allen Mortuary on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 10:00a.m.
In lieu of flowers Fred’s family requests donations sent to Wounded Warriors and Shriners.
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