George W. Mankel Jr., Lt. Col. (Ret.) U.S. Air Force, passed away peacefully on Aug. 1. He was 84.
Mr. Mankel was born in Knoxville on Jan. 31, 1939, at St. Mary’s Hospital. He lived in Knoxville until graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in business administration.
Upon being drafted into the military, he chose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force for Officer Training School. After serving seven years on active duty, Lt. Col. Mankel transferred to the Air Force Reserve and completed a career of more than 24 years before retiring. While an Air Force Reservist, in his civilian life he enjoyed success as a traffic manager for ALCOA, as president of two moving companies, and finally as the owner of his own moving company, Mankel Mayflower Moving and Storage in Knoxville.
Lt. Col. Mankel is preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Mankel, his parents, George Sr. and Willia Mankel, his brother, Monsignor Xavier Mankel, and his daughter, Susan Fefolt. He is survived by his sister, Sister Georgeanna Mankel, RSM, sons Mike and Eric, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass for Mr. Mankel was celebrated on Aug. 5 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Harriman. A graveside service followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood with full military honors presented by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the Roane County Military Memorial Honor Guard.
Donations in Lt. Col. Mankel’s memory can be made to Sacred Ground Hospice House, 1120 Dry Gap Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918, www.sacredgroundresidentialhospice.com.
