Louis Ray Maness

Louis Ray Maness
June 7, 1936 – May 22, 2024


Louis Ray Maness passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2024, with his family by his side.

Louis was born on June 7, 1936, in Asheboro, NC, the youngest of five children to Daniel Alexander and Etta Belle Lewis Maness. Louis had a terrific childhood, living with his grandparents, Angus and Lydia Lewis, from age 7-12.  Some of his best childhood memories were riding bicycles around town with his friends, going to the movie theater on Sunset Ave, shining shoes on the sidewalk, and working at Hop’s Bar-B-Q.

Louis attended Asheboro High School and after his junior year at age 17, enlisted in the United States Navy like his older brothers.  His adventure started with a cross-country bus trip to San Diego, CA for basic training where he enjoyed meeting fellow enlisted sailors from all over the US.  He served his country from 1953-1957, primarily on the destroyer escort USS Coates DE-685.  While in the Navy, Louis earned the rank of pipefitter third class, a skillset that would become the foundation for a 40-year career in heating and air conditioning maintenance.

Upon returning to Asheboro, he met and married his wife, Lucy Yvonne Arrington on June 6, 1959.  Shortly after, Louis & Yvonne relocated to Danville, VA where he completed a two-year Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Degree from The Danville Technical Institute.  Louis had four job offers awaiting him across NC, VA, and TN, and he chose Comfort Engineers in Durham, NC where he became the Service Manager.  Following an 18-year career with Comfort Engineers, Louis was recruited to Duke University Medical Center, where he served as a Maintenance Manager with Engineering & Operations for 23 years until retiring in 2002. 

Louis had a great sense of humor and an easy-going personality.  He had a large network of friends, including his Bob Evans Thursday “breakfast club”.  Louis was popular in his neighborhood, always volunteering to help a neighbor in need or stopping to speak to anyone while walking his beloved dachshund, Ginger.  Louis was also a devoted member to his church family, New Hope Presbyterian, serving on the property and building committees for many years and always sharing his knowledge to diagnose issues and perform repairs.

Louis grew up in a stock car racing community and was a huge fan of Richard Petty.  He loved to travel across the Southeast with friends to attend races and cheer for Richard to win.  Louis was also a lifelong Duke fan, attending football and basketball games going back to the early 1960s.  At age 87, he was still going to Wallace Wade Stadium with his son to root for the Blue Devils.  He enjoyed the college rivalries and friendly sparring with his church and neighborhood friends, particularly the many UNC fans.  Louis was a proud veteran who enjoyed wearing his US Navy caps around town and striking up conservations with strangers.

Louis, “Opa” to his grandchildren, was greatly loved and is survived by his wife of 65 years, Yvonne Maness of Chapel Hill; son Darren Maness (Jennifer) of Raleigh; daughter April Bullard (Scott) of Lake Oswego, OR; grandchildren, Julia and Andrew Bullard and Sarah and Kate Maness; and sister Carolyn Delk of Asheboro, NC.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Asheboro.  In addition to his parents and grandparents, Louis was preceded in death by his three brothers, Clyde “Bud” Maness, Daniel “DA” Maness, Jr, and James Harold Maness. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 8th at 11:00 am at New Hope Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill, NC.  Visitation will take place immediately following.  A graveside service will be held on a later date at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro.

The family would like to thank his Duke Hospice team, particularly his nurse, Bobby.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Duke Cancer Institute at www.dukecancerinstitute.org.  Online condolences and favorite stories about Louis may be shared at www.pughfuneralhome.com