Obituary: J. Harry Mangus

1917 ~ 2004

Born in Wilcoe, West Virginia on March 5, 1917 to Walter and Rose Mangus, Harry was born the seventh of 13 children.

Survived by Jessie, his wife, of 58 years (married March 29, 1946) and six children, LaWana (Randy), Gus, Jerry (Jill), Coral (Andrea), Hazel (DuWayne), and Joseph (Joyce), adopted daughter Fela (Juan); 26 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Harry was raised in Byron, Wyoming. At the age of 3 he survived a gunshot wound that robbed him of sight and hearing on the left side. Harry's motto was "turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones." Harry served an LDS mission in the Spanish American Mission and was a temple worker for 16 years. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in World War II in the Army Special Services. While attending the University of Wyoming, Harry won the Rocky Mountain Conference wrestling three times, the AAU Cross Country, the Nebraska/Wyoming Golden Gloves (twice) and held the record for the 5,000 meter race.

As an educator and coach, Harry opened wrestling programs in various high schools. In Casper, Wyoming the "Harry Mangus" trophy was awarded for the outstanding high school wrestler of the year. He ran marathons into his 70s, golfed and bowled into his 80s. While Harry excelled in many sports he is best remembered as a man of integrity. He never said an unkind word about anyone. He taught us in many silent ways what it means to be a husband, father, grandfather and athlete.

Harry passed away at home on December 15, 2004.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, December 20, 2004 at 12:00 Noon at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South. The family will receive friends at a viewing at the Funeral Home on Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the Service. Interment: Valley View Memorial Park.