Jake Maness

Jake Maness

FLORIDA - Jake Maness died May 18, 2013 at his home with his wife Phyllis and family at his side. He was born Sept. 21, 1936 in Gainesville, GA to Bonnie Lee (nee White) and Ernest Maness. He was the youngest of 5 children and the only one to go to school. He played football throughout his school years and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1954.

He was awarded a scholarship to the University of Georgia and received his B.S. with honors in Poultry Science, Agricultural Economics and Business. He married Jeanine Payne and had 2children from that union. Jake was awarded a scholarship to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he obtained a Master's Degree in Economics. Jake received several honors among them Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Zeta, and Blue Key.

Jake attended LSU and the University of Maryland and completed his course work for his Ph.D. in Marketing and Economics. Jake had the opportunity to work with Frank Purdue and later personally knew Col. Sanders and exchanged marketing ideas. In 1966, Jake worked as an International Trade Specialist and promoted industry programs for Japan and the European Economic community. He conducted lobby activities with U.S. Congress to open trade markets in Japan.

Jake directed MDTA and CETA manpower programs in No. Georgia from 1968-1974. He married Lila Schewbert and has one son from that union. Jake conducted marketing and advertising programs for Goldkist Corp. in Atlanta, GA for one year and did research in plant efficiencies and marketing programs.

In 1973, he married Virginia Barry and moved to Qunicy, MA in 1975. He worked for the Carter campaign, setting up satellite offices in Boston and later taught business graduate and under-graduate program at the Kingston and Providence campuses at the University of Rhode Island. In 1977, Jake went to Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY and taught Marketing, Economics and Business classes.

He helped place students in Business Internships and wrote an award winning federal project internship for disabled and traditional students for Marist College.

Jake enjoyed teaching and advising students through their college years at Marist.

He received several awards including the Best Teacher award. After Marist, he taught Business, Research, Economics, and Business Law classes at Mercy College, Dutchess and Ulster Community Colleges. He taught Business classes at 9 Correctional facilities in Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Westchester counties. Jake married the love of his life, Phyllis Nelson (Stavola) in 1991 and he retired from teaching in 2005.

Jake owned an extensive library of a Folk and Country music. He took his love of Country music with him when he moved up North. Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard were some of his favorite singers. He missed living in Georgia very much but kept good memories through country music.

Jake enjoyed gardening especially growing those hot habanero peppers. He made many friends, young and old, wherever he lived and worked. He was a history buff and told us Yankees that it wasn't the Civil War, it was the War Between the States. He was a 30 year member of the BPOE Lodge #275 in Poughkeepsie, NY.

People will remember Jake as a great teacher, a scholar and a gentleman. He was " A Man For All Seasons." He will be missed by all who knew him