John Scott Manison

John Scott Manison, 32 of North East, PA went home to Jesus on Saturday, September 27, 2025. John was born on September 15, 1993 in Cincinnati, Ohio to John Richard and Shelly Ann (Roth) Manison. He graduated from North East High School in 2012.

John was the Executive Director of Stride Aquatics, a non-profit swim school that offers swim lessons to all regardless of their income level or physical ability. John also owned and operated Apex Tutors in Los Angeles, California. He resided in Wendell, NC with his fiancé, his best friend and love of his life, Kayla Ward of Las Vegas, NV. John was an Eagle Scout and was a member of USA Swimming, Backcountry Anglers and Hunters, NRA, Arbor Day Foundation, Lifetime member of the National Parks, and the Nature Conservancy.

The list of accomplishments, ambitions and those he loved, would fill a book, so condensing them into this format is difficult. First and foremost, John was baptized several months ago into The Passage Church in Knightdale, NC and was a man of deep faith evident in all he did. The second love of his life was his sister, Jessey. He couldn't wait for her to be born and when she was, he barely left her side. John and Jessey shared a love beyond words. John enjoyed being the "showman" and shined in January Thaw, a musical revue at the North East Cultural Center in North East, PA. He adored everything outdoors but truly found joy in hunting, fishing, following #24, William Byron's career in Nascar, going to races with his dad, listening to music and going to concerts and doing everything he could for others. He loved helping children, watching movies, reading every day, his dogs, Koda and Atlas, hiking, hanging with his best friend, Wesley and being around his family and friends. His life exemplified "doing God" not just believing in God. He was a loving and loyal person to those he loved and could never get enough of his two surrogate uncles, Bill Semelka and David Mobilia.

At the age of 16, John was stricken with Transverse Myelitis, which left him a paraplegic. After six years of physical therapy with a fantastic team at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD, including his favorite, Sarah Shippen, he was able to fully walk. I believe John's passion for teaching swimming came when he met Margaret Rhomp, a 5 -year- old who was a quadriplegic, and who swept up John's heart (that's another story). John then moved to Los Angeles, CA where he pursued acting and swim coaching. He coached at Sierra Canyon in CA and started a swim club. While in CA, he was in several episodes of different crime shows, a stint in Mistresses, and a commercial, and a role in Glee, but swimming had a grip on him from the time he swam for the North East High School swim team. Thank you, Coach Makin.

Swimming became his passion along with caring for the welfare of kids. He then met and "mannied" two wonderful twin boys; Cash and Logan Livingston, who filled his heart with such joy teaching them and canoeing with them. John also opened Sailfish Swim School and swim club. His company, Apex Tutors came along shortly after. He spent 10 years in Los Angeles and then moved to North Carolina where he turned his swim school into a non-profit because making sure children were safe in the water became his number 1 priority. He wanted to make swimming accessible for all regardless of physical ability or ability to pay. Stride Aquatics was born and is still working its magic today. While operating the non-profit, John was the swim coach at Durham Academy for the last 4 years. He was so very proud of the team's accomplishments but what he found most satisfying and beautiful was what they became as a team and as individuals. He mentored an attitude of "with each other, we can accomplish great things" and so that team did. John's attitude, love and compassionate soul lit up every room he walked in. People just wanted to be near him because he radiated a joyous soul, a generous heart and formidable determination. Here's to "the glass being not half full but always three-quarters full" in his eyes. So much more to tell but so little space to contain it.

John was proceeded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Patricia Manison, Patricia Roth, an aunt; Carrie Roth, uncle; Jim Manison (Panther), two cousins, Benjamin Roth and Jacob Latta. John is survived by his parents, John and Shelly Manison, adoring sister, Jessey Manison, his fiancé, Kayla Ward, surrogate kids; Cash and Logan Livingston, grandfather; Charles Roth (Patti) of Erie; aunts and uncles: Mary Brigham (Bob), Charlotte Manison (Finn), Tammy Latta (Harry), Robin Galbraith, Keith Roth, and Scott and 12 cousins and 6 second cousins.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation at William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 Lake Street, North East, PA on Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 3:00-7:00. Funeral service will be held at Park United Methodist Church located at 30 North Lake Street, North East, PA on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 11a.m. There will also be a visitation/memorial service held at Durham Academy Upper School, 3601 Ridge Road, Durham, North Carolina on November 1, 2025. Visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. with a memorial service commencing at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to strideaquatics.org (click on "case for support" and then click on "donate" or by check delivered to William D. Elkin Funeral Home. Condolences can be sent to elkinfh.com.