A beloved sixth-grade student at Kenowa Hills Middle School, Derek Manning Jr., died on Monday.
Derek was a well-liked young athlete known for his skill, commitment, and sportsmanship.
Highlights
- Kenowa Hills Middle School’s sixth-grade student Derek Manning Jr. took his last breath on February 9, 2025.
- His mother’s long-time best friend, Sarah, organized a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe.
- Derek Manning Jr. was born to his father, Derek Manning Sr., and his mother, Amie Laramy.
He was in his early teenage years and expected to graduate in 2031 from Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School.
His great-grandmother, Donna Lucille Johnson, inspired him to become an athlete. Donna was an expert archer who won many trophies for her archery abilities.
Donna was an active member of the Belding Mohawk Archers and of the Ioonia Archery Cub.
She was a devout Detroit Tigers fan who knew every player and had an opinion on which players should be or should not have been traded.
Sadly, Donna, born in Portland, MI, on October 26, 1923, to Louis and Emma Hoenicke, passed away on April 9, 2017, at 93.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, one hour before the church service at Johnson Feuerstein Funeral Home in Belding.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at Shiloh Community Church, with Pastor Ken Hargert officiating.
Westside Smash Student-Athlete Derek Manning Jr. Passed Away Due To An Undisclosed Reason
Derek Manning Jr., a standout athlete, sadly passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025. However, the exact death cause has not been mentioned by his family.
Western Little League – Grand Rapids, MI, took to their official Facebook handle to pay a small tribute to Derek. They wrote,
Our hearts are broken. A piece of all of us is missing. The Western community and the Westside is in mourning. On Monday night, our own Derek Manning Jr., tragically lost his life and we are hurting. Derek has been a Western Little Leaguer for the last 7 years. He has made the All-Star team the last 3 years and this past season, he hit his first “official” WLL Home Run (out of the park). In addition to WLL, he played travel baseball for Westside Smash, while also playing basketball and football at Kenowa Hills, while attending KHMS in the 6th grade. Known to his closest friends as Lil D, he left his mark on our fields and in our hearts. Fly High #10 We will forever remember you, but love you longer.
Western Little League
The Westside SMASH also poured a small tribute to Derek and sent prayers to his family by stating,
It is with heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Derek Manning Jr., a beloved member of our Westside Smash family. Derek Jr. was more than just a teammate—he was a bright light who brought passion, kindness, and joy to those around him. His presence on and off the field will be deeply missed, and our hearts go out to his parents, Amie Laramy and Derek Manning Sr., as well as his family and friends during this unimaginable time. Please keep Amie, Derek Sr., and their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your kindness and support.
Westside SMASH
Derek’s mother’s long-time best friend, Sarah Flanagan DeSantis, a graduate of Grand Valley State from Grand Rapids, Michigan, organized a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe.
It was organized to help cover the costs of honoring Derek Jr.’s life and providing him with the memorial he deserved.
Sarah also mentioned that those who cannot make donations are requested to send prayers for Derek’s parents.
Derek Manning Jr. Is Survived By His Father, Derek Manning Sr, And His Mother, Amie Laramy
Derek Manning Jr. was born to his father, Derek Manning Sr., and his mother, Amie Laramy. Currently, they are mourning the loss of the young child.
His father, Derek Sr., is the chef and owner of Manning Hometown BBQ in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Derek Sr. first fell in love with BBQ as a child when his father hosted neighborhood cookouts at their home.
When he became older, his father gradually allowed him to help more, and after several years, he could do it independently.
As an adult, Derek seemed to be an entrepreneur as he had several side hustles, such as deejaying, while working at his job.
The dream for Manning’s Hometown BBQ was born after he started selling dinners that people loved from his home kitchen over 17 years ago.
On the other hand, Derek Jr.’s mother, Amie, grew up with her sister, Amanda Laramy, who was married to Adam Lube.
Amie has avoided media, so little is known about her personal life.
Additional Information
- Derek Manning Jr.’s great-grandmother, Donna, worked as a postal clerk at the Orleans Post Office, where her husband, Kenneth Johnson, was the postmaster.
- Westside Smash student-athlete Derek was 5 feet 1 inches or 154 cm and weighed 100 lbs or 45 kg.
- Around 280 people have donated to the fundraising campaign for Derek, and over $33,774 has been collected.
