John Manning Bolchoz Jr.

John Manning Bolchoz Jr, 46, of Riverview, FL, entered eternal rest on May 8, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

Manning was born on April 23,1979 in Ft Campbell, KY, a son of COL John Manning Bolchoz, US Army (Ret) and Maureen Sullivan Bolchoz. Manning grew up a traditional ‘military brat’ traveling around the world with his family. He was a proud Cub Scout and an Altar Boy while excelling at athletics and in the classroom. He played sports year-round, always being one of the most talented in basketball, baseball, and football. But soccer was his true passion athletically. Alongside his brothers, Ryan and Patrick, Manning spent countless weekends over the course of many years and many states participating in competitive soccer tournaments. Manning was extremely outgoing even as a young boy. We often joked that he would make at least one or two new friends at every rest stop during our frequent travels.

Following graduation from Bloomingdale High School in 1997, Manning would remain in the Tampa, FL area for the rest of his life. He initially attended the University of Tampa where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He later transferred to the University of South Florida where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology. Early in his career, Manning worked in the restaurant business for several years where he ultimately served in management positions at Buca, Inc and Chipotle. Later, he spent 12 years working at USAA where he served as a Senior Claims Examiner, a Property Claims Adjuster, and a Quality Assurance Specialist.

Manning loved getting together with friends and family and was known to have an extremely bad case of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out. But it was FOMO out of love for his people. He especially enjoyed getting together to watch sporting events of all types. His love for sports and the Tampa area led him to become a die-hard fan of all Tampa Bay (Champa Bay) sports: the Bucs, the Rays, and the Lightning. While he cheered for the Bucs on Sunday, he cheered loudly for his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturdays. His loud ‘Let’s Go Irish’ holler would rattle your eardrums to the core.

But, more than anything else in life, he loved his beautiful daughters. Aubrey and Emmie were the center of Manning´s world. Manning loved supporting the girls’ sports activities, especially when they played soccer and then football. He always loved his long hair and would enjoy it when the girls would braid it or put it in a man bun or even color it. Aubrey’s specialty was French braids. He would even let them color his fingernails occasionally. Emmie especially liked cuddling with her dad in the mornings before school. With annual passes the three of them enjoyed going to Busch Gardens frequently and riding the roller coasters. The girls loved spending individual time with Manning when the other was not around, but the three of them loved hanging out and going to places like Krates and Armature Works and Texas Roadhouse. Manning liked getting them dressed up and taking them out on ‘date nights,’ especially on special occasions like their birthdays. The girls were thrilled when Manning brought Harley (labradoodle) into their lives in the last year. And despite the long ride, the girls loved coming to Mt Pleasant with Daddy to visit G-Daddy where they would play with their cousins, go to the playground, and go on long golf cart rides.

Manning is survived by his precious daughters, Aubrey Maureen Bolchoz and Emelia Frances Bolchoz; his father, J. Manning Bolchoz; his brothers, Ryan D. Bolchoz (Rebecca) and Patrick M. Bolchoz; his aunt, Judy B. Callan; his uncles, R. Joseph Bolchoz (Patty), David L. Sullivan (Angie), Lonnie Ferguson III, and Michael Bull; his cousins, Beth Bellebaum (Andrew), Trey Bolchoz (Melia), Ian Callan, Lonnie Ferguson IV, Lauren Ferguson (Robert), and David Sullivan Jr. He also leaves behind his beautiful niece and nephews, Quinnlyn, Carter, and Sawyer. He is predeceased by his mother, Maureen Sullivan Bolchoz; his uncles, Charles B. Bolchoz, Leslie J. Callan, and John D. Sullivan Jr; and his aunts, Karen B. Ferguson and Peggy S. Bull.

It brings Manning’s family some solace to hear from many of his friends around the world and to hear stories from many people he loved and helped during their own times of personal need. Your journey now ended, your purpose here served, be thou at peace Manning!

The family will receive friends Monday, May 19, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Benedict Catholic Church, 950 Darrell Creek Trail, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466 on Tuesday, 20 May, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Mt Pleasant Memorial Gardens, 1308 Mathis Ferry Road, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 843-884-3833. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com.