Trey Elliott Manning, 45

Trey Elliott Manning moved on to his next great adventure Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. He is joining three men that he loved and admired in heaven; Grandpa Ken Manning, father-in-law Jim Chinn, and close friend Jeff Kruckenburg. Once they give him a good talking-to about his too-early arrival we know they will be flying model planes, cracking jokes, and jumping dirt bikes.

Trey spent his last days receiving hospice care from former wives Christy Manning and Laura O’Connor, and his sons Dalton and Connor at the home of close friends, Kelley and Justin Auclair in Kalispell where he could sit outside in the warm summer air surrounded by pine trees; he rallied to enjoy a banquet that was provided by the Burton family. Trey was cracking jokes, smiling, and enjoying the party atmosphere. He always enjoyed a get-together and these final days were no different. It was amazing and inspiring to see the amount of friends and family that came to support Trey and show their love for him. Friends and family came from near and far to share memories, laugh, and say their goodbyes.

Trey was born to Steven and Sharon Manning in Kalispell on Sep. 27, 1976, where he joined his older sister Jacey (Lowry) Manning; the siblings grew up running around by the rivers or in the mountains where their dad built his incredible craftsman homes. Trey inherited his mom’s love of gardening and his dad’s inventive creativity. Jacey had two children, Robert “Bobby” and Janeigh Lowry who Trey loved equal to his own kids. All five, along with his paternal grandmother Marge Manning, survive Trey and will be missing the sparkle and support that he brought to their lives for the past 45 years.

Trey married his high school sweetheart Laura (Wohlers) O’Connor a year after graduating and they had Dalton Manning in 1997 who was named after Jason Dalton, Trey's lifelong friend. Dalton and Trey enjoyed fishing, hiking, and hunting in a wide variety of areas; he was with Dalton when he got his first elk and deer. His ashes will be spread in July 2023 in Dalton and Trey’s favorite fishing spot.

Laura and Trey grew up and grew apart, opening the path for Trey to meet his second wife Christy (Oberhauser-Chinn) Manning; they married in 2002 and had one son, Connor Manning, in 2005. Trey shared some favorite memories in his final days, one of those being the scooter with a sidecar he built out of an oil drum. He would take Connor out as a baby in the pillow-lined sidecar to cruise around their neighborhood, delighting neighbors young and old alike. Trey and Christy separated in 2021 but remained close friends. Trey cracked many jokes with the hospital nurse about the “ex-wives club” that was by his side supporting both Trey and his sons as his final chapter came to a close.

Trey was employed most of his adult life at the Flathead County Landfill with coworkers that became lifelong friends. He was a master of heavy equipment operation and always willing to bring over a piece of equipment to help a friend with roadwork or anything else that was needed without ever accepting payment. He was happiest when he was helping others.

Trey had a knack for storytelling and making others laugh. If he had that mischievous twinkle in his eye you knew there was something funny coming. He loved “Star Wars” and the outdoors and he passed that passion on to his boys. Few knew that Trey was a natural artist and enjoyed writing.

There are too many friends that held a special place in Trey’s heart to mention them all, but he would want any reading this to know that he cared deeply about the friends he had in Bigfork as a kid, his buddies from high school in Deer Lodge and his former coworkers; he spoke fondly of all of you in his last week.

If you have a special memory you’d like to share, please visit https://link.inmemori.com/ztMXyB; a memorial service is being planned for this fall and details will be shared at a later date on this site.

Trey will be missed by many. Trey, we know you are running and jumping and enjoying having your full health restored and we look forward to seeing you again.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.