John W. Manos 1938-2026
John William Manos, 87 of La Veta Colorado, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026 at the age of 87. He was a cherished husband, father, papu (grandfather), and friend, and his presence will be deeply missed. He was born October 11, 1938 in Shenandoah, Iowa to William and Evelyn (Heliotis) Manos, who had migrated to America from Greece. Both parents were born in Greece over a hundred years ago. From the time John was born, Greek was the language spoken at home. He didn’t speak English until he started elementary school. Being Greek-American was an important part of John’s formative years, which grew into a lifelong passion for Greek history, language and culture.
John was a “candyman's son”. His dad had learned the skills of a master confectioner as a young man. His parents owned “The Sunset Cafe” in Shenandoah until the family moved to Denver and opened the “Sunset Sweet Shop” on east Colfax in 1948.
John graduated from East High School in Denver in 1956. Afterwards, he became a perpetual student. He completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Colorado, Boulder. He then went on to postgraduate studies at Middlebury College, in Vermont.
John taught humanities for a few years at Colorado Academy in the 1960’s. Then, for more than ten years, he explored the world as a commercial and fine art photographer. In 1981, John’s photographs were published in the book “No Time but Place: A Prairie Pastoral” by Jeff & Jessica Pearson, a book about farming in Eastern Colorado. During this time, he became an early advocate of renewable energy, Manos built one of the first passive solar adobe homes in Colorado over fifty years ago. The home was designed by pioneering Santa Fe architect David Wright.
In 1985 he began working for the Denver Public Library, and in 1988, he obtained an important grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for the Western History Department of the Denver Public Library. Over the next decade, he managed the capital campaign for the Michael Graves building at DPL Central Library and ended his career doing development work with the Denver Botanic Gardens, University of Colorado and other non-profit organizations.
With his wife, Donice, John moved from Denver to La Veta, CO in 2006 where John remained an active member in the community. Ever curious, John researched and wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper, “The Signature” entitled “Do you know Huerfano?” on Huerfano County history, people and culture. Over 90 articles have been compiled into a book called “The Orphan: Do you know Huerfano?” which was published in 2012. John briefly returned to fundraising and ran a successful campaign in 2012 for a two-story addition to the SPACe Art Gallery in La Veta.
John never stopped taking photographs. During his time as a professional, he shared a Denver studio with fellow photographer Roger Whitacre. Afterwards, he continued taking photos of whatever caught his attention, be it street scenes, portraits, landscapes, or the wildlife passing through his yard. His photographs were often exhibited in La Veta's galleries and were frequently published in the local newspaper.
John is survived by Donice (Unruh) his wife of 34 years; his son, Noah Manos (Kelly Monico); grandchildren, Renze and Iggy (Ignatius); of Denver, Colorado. John was preceded in death by his brother, Emmanuel Manos.
A private celebration of John's life will be held graveside at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver on February 5th.
John William Manos, 87 of La Veta Colorado, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026 at the age of 87. He was a cherished husband, father, papu (grandfather), and friend, and his presence will be deeply missed. He was born October 11, 1938 in Shenandoah, Iowa to William and Evelyn (Heliotis) Manos, who had migrated to America from Greece. Both parents were born in Greece over a hundred years ago. From the time John was born, Greek was the language spoken at home. He didn’t speak English until he started elementary school. Being Greek-American was an important part of John’s formative years, which grew into a lifelong passion for Greek history, language and culture.
John was a “candyman's son”. His dad had learned the skills of a master confectioner as a young man. His parents owned “The Sunset Cafe” in Shenandoah until the family moved to Denver and opened the “Sunset Sweet Shop” on east Colfax in 1948.
John graduated from East High School in Denver in 1956. Afterwards, he became a perpetual student. He completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Colorado, Boulder. He then went on to postgraduate studies at Middlebury College, in Vermont.
John taught humanities for a few years at Colorado Academy in the 1960’s. Then, for more than ten years, he explored the world as a commercial and fine art photographer. In 1981, John’s photographs were published in the book “No Time but Place: A Prairie Pastoral” by Jeff & Jessica Pearson, a book about farming in Eastern Colorado. During this time, he became an early advocate of renewable energy, Manos built one of the first passive solar adobe homes in Colorado over fifty years ago. The home was designed by pioneering Santa Fe architect David Wright.
In 1985 he began working for the Denver Public Library, and in 1988, he obtained an important grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for the Western History Department of the Denver Public Library. Over the next decade, he managed the capital campaign for the Michael Graves building at DPL Central Library and ended his career doing development work with the Denver Botanic Gardens, University of Colorado and other non-profit organizations.
With his wife, Donice, John moved from Denver to La Veta, CO in 2006 where John remained an active member in the community. Ever curious, John researched and wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper, “The Signature” entitled “Do you know Huerfano?” on Huerfano County history, people and culture. Over 90 articles have been compiled into a book called “The Orphan: Do you know Huerfano?” which was published in 2012. John briefly returned to fundraising and ran a successful campaign in 2012 for a two-story addition to the SPACe Art Gallery in La Veta.
John never stopped taking photographs. During his time as a professional, he shared a Denver studio with fellow photographer Roger Whitacre. Afterwards, he continued taking photos of whatever caught his attention, be it street scenes, portraits, landscapes, or the wildlife passing through his yard. His photographs were often exhibited in La Veta's galleries and were frequently published in the local newspaper.
John is survived by Donice (Unruh) his wife of 34 years; his son, Noah Manos (Kelly Monico); grandchildren, Renze and Iggy (Ignatius); of Denver, Colorado. John was preceded in death by his brother, Emmanuel Manos.
A private celebration of John's life will be held graveside at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver on February 5th.
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