Mike Mcmanus Sponsored Seat-Belt Law

Mike McManus, a former state senator from Edmonds who sponsored bills for mandatory seat-belt use, smoke-free public places and faster processing of child-abuse cases, liked a challenge.

He coached youth sports in Seattle's Central Area in the 1950s and helped found the Central Area Youth Association. He ran the Seattle Mental Health Institute in the 1960s and had a career-counseling firm.

But he gained the most recognition as a Democratic state senator from 1982 to 1986. As the chief sponsor of successful legislation for mandatory seat-belt use, he cited the hundreds of traffic fatalities that might have been prevented had the victims been wearing seat belts.

Mr. McManus died Sunday (March 14) of cancer. He was 65.

Born in Madison, Wis., he grew up in Seattle. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in education at the University of Washington.

He taught junior high in the 1950s. He joined Booth Gardner, later governor, to found the Seattle Mental Health Institute in the 1960s. He left that in 1970 to work as a committee clerk in Olympia.

Later, he founded the State-Wide Effective Employment Program, a job-counseling and resource service funded by the state Employment Security Department with support from the United Way Start Up program. Mr. McManus also ran the Interaction Corporation to aid nonprofit social-service groups.

As senator, he helped pass important health and safety legislation. But he also came under fire from community groups saying he mishandled campaign funds and had a conflict of interest because his consulting business had contracts with state agencies.

The state Public Disclosure Commission investigated and fined Mr. McManus $250 for misuse of funds. He did not seek re-election.

His latest project, International Source Institute, with seminars and books to help people identify their life's work and values, brought him the most satisfaction, said his wife of seven years, Sharon Winslow of Mill Creek.

Also surviving are his children Mark McManus of Nagasaki, Japan, Joel McManus and Cameon McManus, both of Seattle, and Carly McManus of Mill Creek; his mother, Estelle McManus of Seattle; and sisters Jane Cowals and Merrily Laytner, both of Seattle; and a grandchild.

Services are at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bonney Watson Funeral Home, 1732 Broadway, Seattle. Donations may go to the Carly McManus Education Fund, 15817 21st Ave. S.E., Mill Creek, WA 98012.