SEND FLOWERS
Obituary
Kenneth Scott Mann, of Riverview MI but former longtime resident of Wyandotte MI, at 6’5 ½ was quite often and literally the largest personality in the room- unless said room was occupied by his older brothers. Known as Scott by family and friends, he was incredibly blessed to be born the youngest of four siblings. Enjoying a life of spoil afforded to him by his doting and supportive family, he knew nothing but love and laughter and good times. Broken wrist-can’t complete an art project for school-no problem, big sis to the rescue; his brother that would let him order the largest steak on the menu knowing full well there’s no chance he could eat even half of it-have at it kid; and his other brother that would buy him hockey sticks by the dozen that taught him how to be a fierce and intelligent competitor, all showered him with constant and unwavering love. Their efforts, combined with the guiding hands of his most amazing, salt of the earth parents, provided him the opportunity to live life as the center of the universe. He returned this gift to those blessed to know him with an open, fun-loving heart-eager to welcome the next new relationship fate would introduce. Scott was as friendly as they come, always projecting optimism and radiating warmth.
He was also the most talented athlete ever to hail from the real 8 Block of Wyandotte’s infamous north end neighborhood. Whether it was a game of 1v1 or v2, on a friends’ backyard court, a game of two-hand touch in the park, or an intense battle of 500, to play side-by-side with Scott required preparation to potentially be leveled and made to bleed by Scott. There wasn’t a sport that he couldn’t just pick up and play at a high level. He accumulated countless athletic accolades, trophies, and championships. During his senior basketball season at Roosevelt High School, he was voted a unanimous team captain. Later in life, he would often giggle about the unanimous part. He was always on a court or field and spent countless hours at the legendary FOP park. In fact, it was on the basketball court at FOP where Scott first set eyes on what would become the future love of his life.
Scott joined the United States Army in the mid-eighties. He proudly served as a 72 Echo in the signal battalion of George Patton’s famous Hell on Wheels second armor division located out of Fort Hood, Texas, earning an honorable discharge. He was recognized with many honors and service awards while completing his entire service stateside. He returned to Wyandotte and began employment with United Parcel Service as a Driver. Scott worked for UPS for 17 years and finished his time there on the route covering Wyandotte’s north end. There wasn’t a family name or address that Scott couldn’t identify from Ford Ave. north to the creek. He took great pride in providing excellent customer service. For those that don’t know there is a correct side of the door to leave a package on, and he took great care never to leave a package during the holiday season where young eyes might find a surprise they shouldn’t see. He loved cruising up and down the neighborhood streets in his big brown truck, music playing from the radio he bungeed in place. Scott was a lover of all things music and related many of his life experiences to the lyrics of songs. Rainy Day People reminded him so emotionally of his mom. Arms Wide Open and Simple Man his boys. "Say You Won’t Let Go," he sung to his wife.
While his professional life was chalked full of accomplishment, it was his family titles of husband and father that brought him the most joy in life. In 2000, Scott married Jennifer Turner, the north end girl he had laid eyes on so many years previous during those pickup basketball games at FOP. For those in the know, you know it was pure destiny that Scott marry a feisty red-headed catholic league basketball player. The attraction was mutual, electrically charged, and not always understood by family and friends. But it was undeniable and stood the test of time. Without question, Scott found the soulmate and companion his kind heart deserved. They would turn everything into a friendly competition. Strikeout in the aisles of Meijer, fierce battles in the fastest batting cage, and mad games of horse were common activities they shared. Later in life, they spent countless hours fishing in their happy place off the Huron River where Scott never failed to provide a fully chartered fishing experience to his girl-tying all the lines, baiting all the hooks, and taking all the fish they caught off the lines.
Together, they raised a beautiful family of three sons: Kenneth, Turner, and John Mann. Scott also held close the special relationship he had with Meagan Mann, who he raised as a daughter for many years. His little family became the center of his universe. Nothing brought more joy and pride to Scott than his role as a father and he was adored by his children. Scott was smart enough to recognize that each of his boys needed different things from him and was always willing to indulge their individual needs. The relationship he built and fostered with each of his sons was unique and personal. He answered to Dada, Daddy-o, Cutie-Pie, and Big-Man. He packed school lunches for the boys, chaperoned fieldtrips, and proudly attended all their extracurricular activities. Scott was known as the fixer of broken toys and figures by his children thanks to the super glue he kept at the ready. He also answered to Coach. For many seasons, Scott coached the Wyandotte youth baseball team his son Turner played on. The 12U team that he coached won multiple tournaments and championships under his guidance and provided him with so many great memories.
It’s important to note, Scott was open, caring, and affectionate with his boys-always asking for hugs and kisses. He told them on so many occasions that its ok for a man to cry when his heart hurts and that crying in those times does not detract from one’s manhood. He held all the belief in the world that his children could accomplish whatever they wanted in this lifetime. He was always their number one fan and his kids always knew it. Scott loved making dinner for the boys every night and conditioned them to come running with a knock on the wall or ceiling. This tradition of knocking, never changed as they grew from young children into grown men. He also deserves recognition for founding the family tradition of crabby patties on Christmas morning; a tradition that will continue and be honored indefinitely moving forward.
He taught the boys lessons in persistence and practicality, and he left them with the knowledge of how to change a tire, do a brake job, or safely swap an electrical outlet. He raised his boys to be confident and kindhearted men full of good character. He left them well positioned to assume future roles as husbands and fathers.
Despite multiple significant health ailments over the last decade of his life, Scott woke each morning truly optimistic about having only one foot in the grave. He was exceedingly courageous and demonstrated exceptional fortitude in continuing to live his best life. He overcame multiple heart attacks, two amputations, and even postponed death once before by surviving a cardiac arrest. To his children he seemed invincible. He mastered his prosthetic leg to the point he could wrench under cars and effectively eradicate wood chucks from the backyard with amusing aesthetics. Not even repeated knocks to the head from ceiling light fixtures could slow Scott down. His children have learned firsthand through him how to move forward in the face of adversity, walk through it, accept it, and overcome it with grace and dignity. It was the last lesson he had hoped he could teach them to lessen the burden of this moment.
Kenneth Scott Mann, was born April 19th, 1963 in Wyandotte, MI and peacefully passed away on November 19th, 2024 in Ann Arbor, MI, after a short but intense fight with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He lived an exceptionally full life in between. He was surrounded in the love of his family and held tightly in their arms as he took his last breath on earth to accept his first breath in God’s hands. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Mann; and sons Kenneth, Turner, and John Mann. Sister Jill (John) Good. Sister-in-law Linda Mann. Meagan Mann. Nieces, Beth (Russ) Renaud, Jennifer Mann, Nicole (Mark) Calhoun, Heather (Tracey) Bullock, Melina (Brian) Jones, Elisha Morrill, and nephew Scott (Lauren) Wheeler. He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by his loving and faithful pets. He was preceded in Heaven by his parents, James and Dorla (Perkins) Mann; brothers James Mann and John Mann, and sister-in-law Patricia Mann.
There is a celebration of Scott’s life being planned for mid-January.
