Thomas William McManus Sr.

Thomas McManus Sr., lifetime Aberdeen resident and former APD detective, passed away on Nov. 4, 2021.

feature

Thomas William McManus Sr., 83, lifetime Aberdeen resident and former detective with the Aberdeen Police Department, passed away on Nov. 4, 2021, at Harbor Regional Health Community Hospital in Aberdeen, Washington.

Tom was born on April 19, 1938, in Aberdeen to Earl Michael and LaVon Valentine (Kirby) McManus. He attended Weatherwax High School.

Tom went to work for the Grays Harbor Sheriffs Office in 1958 and worked with them for the next two years. He also married Barbara Jean West in 1958. They later divorced, but remained friends throughout his life. He then married (Katerina) Kathi Hagara in 1970. Later they divorced and also remained friends. Thomas then married Reba in 1981. They later divorced.

In 1960, Tom went to work for the Aberdeen Police Department where he was later trained as a polygraph examiner. His training was such that his expertise was requested by many departments all over the state. He was promoted to sergeant and then later to detective. He retired from the department in 1984 to focus on his private investigative service and was being used by just about every law firm in Grays Harbor. He was still working cases two weeks ago.

Tom was a member of the Aberdeen Eagles, Footprinters, Ducks Unlimited, Hoquiam Gun Club, NRA, Sierra Club and a founding member of Trout Unlimited. Tom was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed getting away to his home in Idaho.

Tom is survived by three sons: Thomas William McManus Jr. of Kamiah, Idaho; Kevin Earl (Barb) McManus of Hoquiam, Washington and Brendan Kirby (Rita) McManus of Satsop, Washington; two daughters: Jody (Keith) Hoffman of Hoquiam, Washington and Kara K. McManus of Aberdeen, Washington; step-daughters: Kelli (Ray) Coffman of Shelton, Washington and Kirsten (Michael) Williams of Hoquiam, Washington; a sister Kathleen L. (Ken) Overton of Gresham, Oregon; 25 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant sister Kirby Ann McManus.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. in the Aberdeen Rotary Log Pavilion.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.