Family pleads others to not text while driving

The family of Marcus Manny acknowledged that Manny was texting on his cell phone at the time of the fatal crash that claimed the life of the 23-year-old Tabor College student.

“The Mannys have asked me to address the student body, pleading with them to stop texting while driving,” Tabor College President Jules Glanzer said. “They see this as a way for some meaning to come from Marcus’ death.”

Funeral services were held Saturday at Dallas for Manny, a Tabor senior and kicker on the football team. Manny was killed Feb. 22 in a one-car crash on I-35 near Tonkawa, Okla.

An entourage of about 100 Tabor College football coaches, players, students, and administration officials traveled to the service via chartered bus. Manny’s jersey (No. 1) was framed and presented to the family which and prominently displayed during the funeral.

A campus memorial service was held Thursday evening in the chapel-auditorium. Students, faculty, and staff attended the celebration of Marcus’ life. Campus Pastor Kevin Johnson read a brief summary of Manny’s life, students read scripture, and sang the song, “Times.” A video, compiled by roommate Mario Nava of Peabody, was shown, commemorating Manny’s life.

At the beginning of the service, attendees received small cards with the outline of a white T-shirt, the article of clothing most characteristic of Manny. During a time of meditation, students walked to the front and deposited the sheets of paper which had written memories of Manny. The papers were given to Manny’s family as keepsakes.

Tabor President Jules Glanzer offered reassuring words.

“The college campus is a close-knit community where deep relationships are forged. When someone like Marcus is taken away from us, there is a noticeable hole in our lives together,” he said. “Marcus was a likable student who had a wide range of friendships on campus. His fun-loving and inspirational personality impacted so many of our students.