Remembering Doland Maner, Former Arlington City Council Member
Published on December 26, 2025
Photo caption: At age 100 in 2023, Doland Maner became the oldest person to throw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game. Mr. Maner is pictured on the field with Arlington Mayor Jim Ross.
By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication
Doland Maner, a former Arlington City Council member and U.S. Navy veteran, has died at age 103.
Over the decades, Mr. Maner left a lasting legacy in his hometown as both an elected leader and a selfless community volunteer. Mr. Maner served on the City Council during pivotal moments in the City’s history, including welcoming the Texas Rangers baseball team. As a leader with the Arlington Historical Society, Mr. Maner also helped with the creation of the Fielder Museum and Knapp Heritage Park to preserve and celebrate the community’s 150-year history.
Born and raised in Decatur, Alabama in 1922, Mr. Maner moved to Arlington at age eight for his father’s new job at Southern Ornamental Steel. After attending Arlington High School and completing his service in the Navy, Mr. Maner followed in his father’s footsteps and began his own career at Southern Steel, according to his UTA Maverick Veterans' Voices interview. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming executive vice president and chairman of the board there before his retirement.
Mr. Maner was first elected to the Arlington City Council in 1967, when Tom Vandergriff was mayor and Arlington’s population was less than 90,000. One of his earliest actions during his eight years on council was work to create Veterans Park. During his tenure, he also worked with Mayor Vandergriff to lure the Washington Senators to Arlington to become the Texas Rangers, whose inaugural season was in 1972. For his 100th birthday in 2023, Mr. Maner became the oldest person to throw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game.
Mr. Maner witnessed several significant moments in Arlington’s history and has shared his memories with the City of Arlington’s Office of Communication on topics ranging from the impact of General Motors on the city’s population and economy to the long-standing Sister City relationship with Bad Königshofen, Germany.
“Doland loved this community, loved its history and worked much of his long life to ensure others could enjoy both,” Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said. “We will not soon forget his legacy.”