Ralph K. Manley, a lifelong Springfield resident, was first elected to City Council in April 1999 and re-elected in April 2003 and 2007. He served as Mayor Pro Tem from April 2003 until April 2007. Mr. Manley serves as the Chair of the Council’s Public Involvement Committee and is a member of the Finance and Administration Committee.
Ralph earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration from Drury College and has completed graduate courses at both Harvard and the University of Missouri in Columbia. He served as a lecturer for the Drury Evening College, where he was awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award in 1967, and as Assistant Professor and Instructor at Southwest Missouri State University from 1969-1989, when he retired as Professor Emeritus.
Ralph is a recognized authority and consultant in residential construction and land development, having built more than 1,500 homes and developed residential subdivisions totaling over 2,000 lots in the Springfield area. Councilman Manley is also the owner and manager of over 200 real estate properties.
Ralph served with the United States Armed Forces in World War II, as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, where he received nineteen decorations, including three purple hearts and several medals for gallantry in action and excellence in performance of duty as a Demolition and Espionage Trooper. He has written his autobiography titled “The Sky is the Limit”.
Ralph’s community involvement includes service with the Masonic organizations as a 32nd degree Mason, the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine, a 60-year member of the American Legion, a Life Member of the 101st Airborne Division Association, 501st Parachute Infantry Association, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Springfield Apartment Association, and a 50-year member of the Home Builders Association of Springfield. He has been a member, Elder and teacher at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church for 35 years and serves as a Board member for Ozark Counseling Service.
Ralph has served on several civic boards, including the Springfield Planning & Zoning Commission, Greene County Planning & Zoning Commission, Greene County Building Commission and various Building Code committees, and served as Vice-Chairman of Vision 20/20. In 2006, Ralph was honored for his civic involvement by being named Springfieldian of the Year.
Ralph has been married to Jayne Manley for 55 years and has three daughters, Janell, Jodell, and Jennifer, and four grandsons, Jordan, Jason, Jared, and Jeffrey.
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