A group of Manteca residents led by Jim Thomas wants Lincoln Park renamed as Marion Elliott Park.

The Manteca City Council will consider the request when they meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.

“We can think of no person who has given more of himself for Manteca than Marion Elliott,” Thomas said in a letter listing why he and others believe the park being renamed is a justified move.

Elliott, a 90 year-old Bakersfield native, moved with his family to Manteca in 1943.

He attended Castle Grammar School, Lindbergh School, Yosemite School, and Manteca High where he graduated with the Class of 1952.

After graduating from Fresno State College in 1956 and serving two years in the Army, Elliott began a 37-year career in Manteca area schools.

He taught at Golden West, New Haven, and Lathrop schools.

Elliott was a vice principal at Lathrop and then Manteca High before being hired as Lincoln School principal in 1979 where he served until his retirement in June 1995.

Lincoln Park, incidentally, borders the Lincoln School campus.

The park that could be renamed in his honor is appropriate given it includes a lighted baseball field as well as the city’s swimming pool, picnic shelter, and playground.

That’s because of Elliott’s extensive involvement with Babe Ruth Baseball on the local, district, regional, and national levels.

He was involved in forming Manteca’s first Babe Ruth Baseball program, served as president of the Little John League, was a District commissioner and then a State Commissioner, was elected as a Pacific Southwest Regional Commissioner, and then an at-large member of the national board of directors.

He also umpired and was a member of the National Babe Ruth Umpires Association.

His involvement in sports also included working as a high school football, basketball, and baseball official. Elliott also served as executive secretary of the Northern California Officials Association for high school sports.

Elliott was the part-time recreation director for the City of Manteca from 1958 to 1972.

He started the city’s adult softball league and the semi-pro Tournament of Champions.

Among his many other endeavors included:

*Being an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church serving as a lector, teacher of religious education, and service in the Grand Knights.

*Compiled the Sports Yesteryear and Manteca History columns for the Manteca Bulletin from 1974 to 2024.

*Served on the Manteca Planning Commission from 1985 to 2002.

*Was inducted into the Manteca Hall of Fame as well as the Manteca High School Hall of Fame.

*Past President of the East Union Athletic Boosters Club.

*Was a member of the Sunrise Kiwanis and Manteca Historical Society.

Marion and his wife, Mona, raised three children.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com