Meet a Crusader: Gary Mantei

Gary Mantei, LN ’73. He used to be a truck driver. Now he owns the company. Gary graduated from Central Missouri State University and worked in the print industry. He then took a job with CRH Transportation Inc. as a truck driver. He worked his way up until he owned the company, which now has 175 employees and 5 facilities with 90 trucks. He credits his parents for providing him with a Christian education and his coaches for developing his work ethic.

Gary expresses his gratitude for all of his coaches, especially Jim Manion, for helping him develop his character and work ethic. While he lettered in football (All Conference and All District) and track, he also played soccer and basketball. His favorite memory is the 6-2-1 football record (best in school history at that time).

 

After high school, Gary attended Central Missouri State University. After working 5 years in the printing and paper industry, he worked at CRH Transportation Inc. as a truck driver. He proceeded to work his way up to become the president/owner of the company. He grew the company to 175 employees and 5 facilities with 90 trucks.

 

Gary’s love for his Lord is reflected in a lifetime of connections with Lutheran schools and churches. Lutheran North, Lutheran South, Atonement Lutheran, Salem Affton, and Chapel of the Cross in St. Charles have all been blessed by the Mantei family. He was a member of the Lutheran High School Association Board, chairman of the Lutheran High School Association Golf Benefit, along with serving as an usher, basketball coach and a youth group leader.

 

Gary’s philanthropic nature is evidenced in many different venues beginning with the athletic programs at Lutheran North and Lutheran South. Folds of Honor, a charity that provides educational scholarships to children of fallen and disabled veterans, along with the Make-A-Wish Foundation are all organizations supported by the Mantei family. 

 

Gary and his wife Mary Beth founded the Zachary Mantei Scholarship Fund at Salem, Affton in memory of their son who passed away in 2015. Gary and Mary Beth have demonstrated a lifetime passion of helping others.

 

Gary gives credit and thanks to his parents, Marvin and Sue Mantei, for providing him with a Christian education, to his wife Mary Beth for her support the past 37 years, and to the many friends he formed during his high school years at Lutheran North.