Mr. Brison Manor, Jr was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey on August 10, 1952, to Katie Mae Coombs Manor and Brison Manor Sr. who preceded him in death. He was married in 1976 to Delois Arnold Manor and to this union two children were born. He accepted Christ into his life at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Gould, Arkansas, and was a faithful member until his death.
Brison excelled in both football and wrestling at Bridgeton High School. After excelling in athletics in High School he accepted a football scholarship to play at Pratt Community College from 1971 to 1973. While attending Pratt, he was recruited and accepted a scholarship to play football at the University of Arkansas in 1973.
Brison began his professional football career as a defensive end for the New York Jets in 1975 but was released the last game of the preseason. He returned home to Arkansas and continued to work toward his dream of becoming a professional football player, while working full time at One Moore Ford. His dream to play professional football was realized when he signed with the Denver Broncos in 1976. After being forced to rehab an injured knee in 1976, he finally began playing football in 1977. He took advantage of the opportunity and made an impact with the world-renowned Orange Crush Defense, which played in Denver’s first Super Bowl (Super Bowl XII). He had a stellar 10-year NFL football career.
After retiring from the NFL, he continued to work at One Moore Ford until he decided to try the challenging field of investment banking. Not surprisingly, he excelled in that field, also, as a Securities Broker. He worked at various firms in Arkansas, including Bryan Worley Investment Bankers, Ahart & Bryan Investment Bankers, Simmons First National Investment Banking Group, Vice President of Institutional Sales for BOSC, Inc., a subsidiary of Oklahoma Financial in Little Rock, Arkansas, Crews and Associates, and most recently St. Bernard’s Financial Services, Inc. located in Russellville, Arkansas. He was fortunate to have a career that lasted for 37 years.
Anyone who knew Brison, knew he loved fishing. He and his family and friends spent many days on the lakes in Arkansas and the Arkansas River. He shared his knowledge and skills with all who fished with him. The requirements were to respect the water and stay focused. If conversation was what his fishing partners wanted, they would be sadly disappointed. The main goal was to catch fish.
During his lifetime, he received several honors from the community, including his induction into the 1994 Bridgeton Hall of Fame All Sports Museum, the Multiple Sclerosis Society Dinner of Champions Award, the Multiple Sclerosis Leadership Award, 2005 Hall of Fame Induction into South Jersey Football Coaches Association, 2006 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year at Pratt Community College, U of A Sports Hall of Honor 2011, Pratt Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2012, and Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2018.
Not only has Brison received honors from the community, but he has also volunteered much of his time by giving back to the community. He was instrumental in organizing the Elijah Pitts Memorial Golf Tournament several years running, in which he helped raise funds for Philander Smith College, a historically black college and the Bruce Mitchell Scholarship Fund.
Brison departed this life on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents, Katie Mae Coombs Manor and Brison Manor, Sr.; sisters Katie Green Hawkins and Darlene Manor; brother Joseph Green. He leaves to carry on his life and legacy, his wife of 47 years DeLois Arnold Manor; his daughter Neva Kathleen Manor Hartley (Terrance); his son Brison Manor, III (Leah); granddaughter Mackenzie Onie Lee Hartley; brother James Green; sister Dorothy Murphy, brother-in-law Phillip Arnold, Jr. (Joyce) and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, church members, associates and friends.
A public Memorial Service will be held at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum, Simmons Bank Arena North Little Rock, AR on July 1, 2023, at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity or one of Brison’s, which includes The Multiple Sclerosis Society, Bruce Mitchell Scholarship Fund, and Muskie Harris Rehabilitation Services.
Obituary submitted by The Family.
https://www.brownfuneralhomeandmortuary.com/obituary/brison-manor