Manuel S. Bettencourt Jr.

1929 - 2011

Manuel passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2011 in Hanford. Manuel was raised and spent nearly all of his life farming north of Hanford near the Kings River. Manuel enjoyed his life as a farmer growing peaches, corn and cotton. Manuel served proudly in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Reserve for a combined 25 years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Manuel was born on August 9, 1929 in Hanford. Manuel graduated from Hanford High School in 1948 where he was an accomplished pole vaulter. He then went onto Fresno State College and received his Bachelor of Arts in 1952. In college, Manuel was a member of the ROTC. A year after graduating, Manuel married Lena Ann Oliveira in Lemoore. Manuel was a longtime member of the Model A Club of Visalia, American Legion Hanford Post #3 and Reserve Officers Association.
Manuel was preceded in death by his parents; Manuel S., Sr. and Balbina Bettencourt and his brother; Frank S. Bettencourt. Manuel leaves behind his beloved wife of 58 years, Lena Bettencourt, his brother John S. Bettencourt and five children; Ron Bettencourt of Laton, Kenneth and Cindy Bettencourt of Visalia, John and Lucy Bettencourt of Kingsburg, Gerald Bettencourt of Laton and Mary Ann and Michael Maciel of Hanford. Manuel has nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A Visitation and Rosary will be held on Monday, January 2, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. all at St. Brigid's Catholic Church; 1000 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA. Burial will follow at Kings River Cemetery; 10499 Dover Avenue, Hanford, CA.
Services are under the direction of People's Funeral Chapel. Family and friends may visit www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com to send written and audio messages to the family.