Eldridge Manering, age 94, passed away in his apartment surrounded by family on Monday, November 22, 2021. He would tell you he lived a full and wonderful life and was planning to live to be 100. He was a graduate of Ponca City High School and joined the Navy in 1945. In 1946, he married Maxine Williams, his HS sweetheart and began the great adventure with her that lasted till his death. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on 0ctober 20, 2021.

Upon discharging from the Navy, he attended Oklahoma A & M where he graduated with a Petroleum Engineering degree. He worked for Conoco Oil Company for 40 years and had a long and successful career. He started in Ponca City, then he went to Ardmore, Enid, OKC, Illinois, Houston, and California. He went to Madagascar and Colombia to drill exploratory wells. He even drilled one in the Amazon jungle. From there he went to drill exploratory wells in the Arabian ocean and Libya. Then he promoted into upper management positions in London and Egypt. He retired while in Egypt.

After a few years of retirement in Houston, he and Maxine returned to Ponca City where they lived until moving to an assisted living facility in Bethany, OK. Throughout his life, he was committed to family. He coached baseball and was a scoutmaster. He took his family on camping trips and shared his love for the outdoors. He was a dedicated Christian and faithful to his church, friends and those in need. He was involved in Habitat for Humanity, in building the Dearing House, and lead mission trips to Mexico and Jamacia to build churches and houses. He chaired the committee and worked on the Conoco Oil Museum at the Marland Mansion.

Eldridge was a proud husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and loved his family. They were his greatest joy. He is survived by his wife, Maxine, his brother Jesse Manering and wife Barbara, his son Larry and wife Keitha, his son Alex and wife Carla, his grandkids; Michelle Walker and husband Chris, Jason Manering and wife Cara, Erin DeMoss and husband Chris, Brenna Callison and husband John, Tracy Clair and wife Amber and Mark Clair; 10 great-great grandkids and one great-greatgreat grandson.

A memorial service will be scheduled for late spring at the Oddfellow Cemetery in Ponca City.

Donations may be made in his memory to:

Albright United Methodist Church Memorial Fund

128 South Palm Street

Ponce City, OK 74601

Kevin Manering Memorial Scholarship Fund

Pawhuska Public School Foundation

C/O Beverly Moore

1801 McKenzie Road

Pawhuska, OK 74056