Kenneth Wayne Mann

Kenneth Wayne Mann was a welcome addition to the family on August 16, 1950. He passed into eternity on June 8, 2025 at the age of 74. When he was born, his proud parents, Marlin and Orene Mann were delighted to have a second boy to join their older son, Roger. Eight years after Kenny was born, their little sister, Joyce, joined them to complete the family.

Even at a young age, it was obvious that Kenny had a gift and a passion for electronics and technology. He soaked up knowledge from Popular Mechanics Magazine and enjoyed assembling and repairing all things electrical. As a teenager, along with his activities of water skiing, windsurfing, and motorcycles, he became a devoted HAM operator and communicated with other operators worldwide. He also was an accomplished archer, traveling with his Dad and brother to tournaments, while using bows made by their Dad. He had a talent for photography and was a lover of animals, especially his cat, Baxter, who was his devoted companion in his later years.

Ken had outstanding athletic ability as evidenced by his skill on the track team at Fair Park High School. Because he was so talented as a hurdler, he was awarded a full scholarship to run track for Northeast Louisiana University. Being a college athlete took a great amount of dedication and sacrifice. After his four years at Northeast, he graduated with his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1972. However, as an unexpected end to his college career, he was drafted into the US Army before he could even walk the stage during the commencement ceremony. When he was soon deployed to Darmstadt, Germany, he took his wife, Patricia Sapp and their three-month-old daughter, Angela, with him because he couldn’t stand to be separated from them for that length of time.

His extraordinary technical knowledge afforded him the honor of being awarded the rank of Specialist 4, which was equivalent to the rank of corporal. His two years of military service were spent as a radar specialist assessing possible incoming threats. For this purpose, Ken held NATO secret security clearance and was awarded a National Defense Service Medal upon his honorable discharge in 1974.

In his civilian career, Ken was instrumental in designing and initiating computer networks for several local establishments including Louisiana Technical College and Sci-Port Discovery Center. He was a Biomedical Engineering Technician trained by Siemens Medical Systems in repair and maintenance of a broad spectrum of imaging equipment at Schumpert and Willis-Knighton Medical Centers. Later in his career, he was a professor of Computer Science at Remington Technical College. In each case, throughout many years, his God-given abilities were used in service of others to the delight of his Lord.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, David; grandson, Matthew Kenneth Fanelli; and brother-in-law, Dr. Jack Witte. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Angela Pesnell (Dr. Doug); granddaughters, Sierra and Sheridan Pesnell; brother, Roger Mann (Linda); sister, Joyce Foster (Kerry); and his nieces and nephews.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville, LA, with Pastor Steve Gilley officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ken’s name to Shriners Children’s Shreveport, Office of Philanthropy, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103 or online at shrinerschildrens.org.