Bradford Gooding

The Alpha Society

Birdsong Cremations

Charles McManus

Cara Sener

Early Life
Charles “Dudley” McManus was born on October 8, 1950, in Liberty, Texas, to Charlie and Dahlia McManus. The eldest of four children and the only son, he grew up alongside his three younger sisters.

From an early age, Dudley loved the outdoors—hunting, fishing, archery, horseback riding, and even snake wrangling. He proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and that adventurous spirit never left him. Over time, his passion for the outdoors grew into a love of precision shooting with his hand-loaded bullets and elk stalking in the mountains.

Education and Career
Dudley graduated from Liberty High School and went on to attend Texas A&M University, where for a time he was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1973 and later completed his Master of Business Administration at the University of Houston in 1988.

He devoted his professional life to the oil and gas industry, working nearly thirty years as a financial planner with Texaco, briefly as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, and ultimately as a project analyst with Decision Strategies Incorporated (DSI). His work with DSI gave him the chance to travel to fascinating and remote places—including Bahrain and Surinam—experiences he cherished.

Family Life
In March 1976, Dudley’s sister Marian introduced him to her teacher friend, Amey. The two quickly formed a connection and were married later that year on December 26.  Together, they built a loving family and shared 48 wonderful years of marriage, truly becoming best friends and partners in every sense. They welcomed their son, Ryan, in 1978, and their daughter, Cara, in 1983.

Dudley poured his heart into family life. He cheered from the sidelines at countless basketball games, soccer matches, tennis tournaments, and swim meets, even coaching Ryan’s baseball team. He carried on his Boy Scout tradition with Ryan, taking special joy in crafting Pinewood Derby cars together. He also camped and crafted withCara and the Indian Princesses, serving proudly as the treasurer of the Fox tribe.

Known affectionately by their friends as “Dadley,” he was always ready to welcome a crowd—hosting slumber parties, Disciple Now weekends, or dinners filled with laughter and good food. His cooking was legendary, with family and friends especially loving his BBQ, seafood gumbo, dove jambalaya, and baked brie.

Travel was another of his joys. Whether road-tripping across the country, flying overseas, or cruising with Amey and dear friends, he treasured every adventure.

Later in life, one of his greatest blessings was becoming “Pop” to his three grandchildren, whom he adored and delighted in spoiling.

Faith and Service
Dudley’s life was firmly rooted in his faith. He was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church Dickinson and later taught Sunday School at Woodridge Baptist Church in Kingwood. At North Shore Church in Montgomery, he served faithfully on the church security team and found fellowship at the weekly men’s breakfast.

His love for the Lord was evident in how he lived—serving with humility, generosity, and kindness.

Legacy
Dudley was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Sidney McManus and Dahlia Cook McManus of Liberty, Texas.  He is survived by his devoted wife Noemi Jo “Amey” McManus; his children, Charles Ryan McManus (Jennifer) and Cara McManus Sener (Matthew); and his beloved grandchildren, Charlie and Millie McManus and Sophie Sener. He is also survived by his sisters Marian Basham (William) of Kingwood, Elizabeth Berry (Roger) of Austin, and Leslie Herndon (Mark) of Liberty; his sister-in-law Lou Ann Hollis (James) of League City; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Dudley will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his deep love for family and friends, his adventurous spirit, and his kind and generous heart.

Service Information
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025:
North Shore Church
18501 W FM 1097
Montgomery, TX 77356
(casual attire recommended)

Memorial Donations
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dudley’s memory to:
● Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation
● 300 Justice Road Foundation
● Texas A&M Corps of Cadets
● Coastal Conservation Association Texas

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Charles McManus Obituary | Birdsong Cremations