Manuel G. Manchaca Jr.

Manuel G. Manchaca, Jr. Our loving father, Manuel G. Manchaca, Jr., went to meet the Lord on October 5, 2007 at the age of 83. Manuel was born in Kennedy, Texas to Manuel and Ruth Manchaca on August 14, 1924. Manuel was a devoted husband, father and loyal friend to many. He attended Austin High School, but left before graduation to join the US Navy in 1942 during WW II. He served aboard the USS Chenango in the Pacific and Mediterranean Seas. After the war, Manuel returned to Austin and enrolled in Durham's Business College and Electrical School where he earned an Electricians certificate. He became a well-known and respected electrician for over 48 years and was also affectionately known as the "Mayor of Govalle." During his Navy years, Manuel's boxing career began. Later in Austin, he fought as a Golden Gloves boxer, representing the Pan Am Recreation Center in East Austin. He went on to become a professional boxer. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Orelia Sifuentes Manchaca, a native Austinite; his children: Vivien Nikbakhsh-Tali (husband Nik) from San Jose, California; Rebecca (Becky) Ledesma (husband Robert); Manuel (Manny) Manchaca III (wife Susan); Jeannie Manchaca (companion Virgil Fernandez) and Michael Manchaca, all from Austin. His memory will remain with his 11 grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Manuel was preceded in death by his brother, Jesse Manchaca, and sister, Rachel Sanchez. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. E. Edoka and the staff at the Regency Village Care Center for their loving care and support. The family requests instead of flowers, please make donations to a special organization Manuel strongly supported: Austin Boxing Against Drugs, c/o Joe Vela, PO Box 41088, Austin, Texas 78704. Visitation will be held at Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel, 6204 South 1st Street, Monday, October 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Parker Lane United Methodist Church, 2105 Parker Lane, 442-0996. Pallbearers are: Michael Manchaca (son), Chris Leibas, Erik Leibas, Paul Ryan Manchaca, Joshua Manchaca, and Darren Nikbakhsh-Tali (grandsons). Honorable pallbearers are: Fernando Ortegon, Robert Ledesma, Nik Nikbabhsh-Tali and Virgil Fernandez.