On Jan. 17, 2025, John Manchester died peacefully of pancreatic cancer in Richmond, VA, with family by his side. Friends and family rallied around John in recent months, as none could imagine a world without John’s sense of humor, pragmatic advice or mischievous smile.
Born July 29, 1952, in Haleyville, Alabama, John was the son of the late John and Jean Manchester. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Constance (Connie) Palmer Manchester, son Nathan Palmer Manchester, and brother, Robert Edwin Manchester.
John grew up in Massachusetts, graduated from St. Mark’s School, Brown University (AB in American Civilization, 1975), and West Virginia University (M.Ed., 1977, with a focus in energy education).
John claimed to lack a clear professional direction after college. However, his varied career speaks of a man who jumped two feet first into life and used his many talents to make a difference.
After college, John hitchhiked 23,000 miles across the US and Canada, a formative journey he would later describe at a TEDxLewisburg event entitled “Everything I Know About Public Service I Learned Hitchhiking.”
John moved south to join the Solar Energy Division of the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he taught energy conservation and led solar energy projects. Returning to West Virginia, he ran a sawmill, built his own house with his family, edited the Mountain Messenger newspaper, served 16 years as the Communications Director of West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and was elected to the Lewisburg City Council in 2001.
John successfully ran for Mayor of Lewisburg in 2003, with Connie championing him along the way. He served 16 years as Mayor; the longest serving mayor in Lewisburg history to date, and retired June 30, 2019. He was especially proud of completing long needed public improvements during his tenure, Lewisburg’s 2011 designation as “America’s Coolest Small Town”, and for the opportunity to advocate on behalf of same sex marriage and encourage passage of a municipal non-discrimination ordinance.
John’s received many awards and recognitions over his years of public service including:
- Environmental Hero Award, May 2007, The Wilderness Society, for his successful advocacy to protect additional public lands and wilderness areas in West Virginia
- Mayor of the Year, 2011-2022, West Virginia Municipal League
- Distinguished Mountaineer Award, June 2018, State of West Virginia
- James C. Hunt Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the West Virginia Municipal League, 2019
John loved writing, storytelling, summers as a child at Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire, hiking and travel, including visits to National Parks and trips to Greenland, Iceland, the Galapagos. He visited all 50 states, finally checking Alaska off the list in 2021 on a cruise with sister Peggy and sister-in-law Judi.
He had the great fortune to share 41 years with wife Connie, with whom he managed the ups and downs of life while reminding us that love is best when tended to and with a dose of humor on the side. John was twice lucky in love, reconnecting a year ago with Claudia Balivet, his first sweetheart from 1970. They shared a year of adventures together, followed by quieter moments in which she offered great comfort.
John will be remembered for his love of his family, especially Johnna and her daughters, the many long drives he took to keep up with college friends, family and many others he met along the way, his sharp wit, community spirit, and for being able to build consensus among competing factions to keep Lewisburg moving forward.
Left to cherish his memory are: his daughter Johnna Barlowe, her husband Chris Barlowe and granddaughters Gemma and Arianna of Henrico, VA, Johnna’s father-in-law Robin Barlowe of Richmond, VA, sisters Margaret (Peggy) Clark of Pinehurst, NC and Joan Slaney of Dracut MA, sister-in-law, Judi Manchester of Shelburne, VT, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held for John in Lewisburg, WV, at a later date.
Memorial gifts to honor John’s legacy may be sent to the Peyton Hospice House.
