Manuel Vela III

Manuel Vela, IIICorpus Christ, TXManuel Vela, III, age 48, passed away September 21, 2014. He was born on October 4, 1965 to Manuel and Herlinda Vela, Jr. in Corpus Christi. He graduated from Roy Miller High School In 1984. He married his wife of 14 years on July 7, 2000. Manuel Vela III was employed by Child Protective Services. Manuel was a loving father, brother and friend to anyone who was blessed with his presence. Manuel enjoyed his motorcycle adventures with his brothers, and sharing laughs with his daughters. He will always be remembered for his compassion and endless acts of kindness to everyone that crossed his journey. He was an advocate for so many children through all of his years of dedication and loyalty to child protective services, his true calling. Manuel is preceded in death by his mother, Herlinda M. Vela; father, Manuel Vela, Jr.; grandparents, aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins. He is survived by his spouse, Michelle Vela; daughters, Elaine Elizabeth Vela (Adam Zamora, III), and Alisa Mercedes Garcia-Vela; parents-in-law, Charlie and Sylvia Ramirez; sister, Laura Vela Gonzales (Juan); brothers, Bruce Longoria, Reggie Perez, Raul Olivares, Roland Rangel, Lupe Olivares; special friend, Diane Bonneau, Sylvia Trevino, and his CPS team/family; aunts, Berta M. Serna (Delfino), Amelia Curiel, Mine Vela; uncle, Luis Mendiola (Maria); niece, Julissa Iris Balboa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at Seaside Funeral Home with a Rosary to be held that same evening at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at Corpus Christi Cathedral. Pallbearers will be Bruce Longoria, Reggie Perez, Raul Olivares, Roland Rangel, Adam Zamora, III, and Joseph Castillo. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charlie Ramirez, Juan Gonzales, Lupe Olivares, Fred Olivares, Luis Mendiola, Delfino M. Serna, Marcos Serna, and Robert Martinez. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ARK Shelter,12940 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78410.To view tribute, please visit www.seasidefuneral.com.