Dr. Manuel Salinas, Jr.

A devoted man of faith, a dedicated family man, and an outstanding advocate of education, Dr. Manuel Salinas Jr., Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M Kingsville, peacefully passed away on September 29, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He is leaving behind a legacy of service, love, and selfless dedication.

Manuel is preceded in death by his first wife Clara Vasquez Salinas, his mother Ofelia Shutter Salinas, his father Manuel Salinas Sr., and his grandparents Patricio and Irene Guerra Shutter.

Manuel is survived by his wife Norma Mendoza Salinas of Kingsville, TX, his children Nilda I. Salinas of Kingsville, TX, Manuel Salinas, III. (Sarah) of Waukesha, WI., Linda S. Lara (Ricardo) of San Antonio, TX, stepchildren Maritza R. Lopez (Jesus) of Falfurrias, TX, and Fred Salinas Jr. of San Antonio, TX., his grandchildren Katie Engler (David), Jonathan Salinas, Kenneth Below (Breanna), Duncan Below, and step grandson Jonas Lopez and great granddaughter Mari Engler. He is also survived by his siblings Sergio Salinas (Cathy), Mario Salinas (Nella), Flora Clark (Chester) and Gloria Cantu (Baldomero) and our beloved family dog, Happy.

As a devout catholic, he practiced the virtues of compassion and wisdom. He was blessed with a quick wit and appreciated both listening to and telling a good joke. He loved the outdoors and was enthusiastic about deer and nilgai hunting at the King and Kenedy ranches and the family ranches in Ben Bolt and Freer. Manuel enjoyed flying small aircraft, listening to various genres of music, watching classic westerns, and historical war movies. Manuel's life was full, and fueled by many passions including travel, exploration, science, biology, and higher education.

Manuel proudly attended Robstown High School and graduated class president in 1949. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force at age 19. He was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command B-29 Bomber Wing during the duration of the Korean War until receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1954. Manuel considered his service to our country as one of duty, honor, and privilege.

After his military duty, he attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville earning a bachelor's degree in biology-Spanish-chemistry in 1957. Then in 1959, he completed his master's degree in administrative education-biology. He continued his post-master's work, attending The University of Texas at Austin, University of Idaho at Moscow, University of California, Berkley and University of Houston. Manuel Salinas, Jr. graduated Valedictorian earning his Doctoral of Philosophy in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1977.

As a teacher, Manuel began his career in the Rio Grande School District, then moved to Falfurrias where he became the Department Chairman and Program Administrator for Brooks County I.S.D. In 1966, he was hired as Texas A&I University's first Student Financial Aid Officer and as an Education Instructor. He served as A&I's Assistant to the President and Assistant to the Chancellor. He became the Vice Chancellor for Administrative and Personal Affairs and Vice President for University Affairs. His knowledge in bilingual studies provided the opportunity for Dr. Salinas to instruct students in Columbia, Peru, Mexico and San Salvador. When Texas A&I became Texas A&M Kingsville, Manuel was a full professor and Chairman of the Education Department. He was the Interim Dean of the College of Education and was appointed to the Texas State Education review board serving under the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Salinas served as graduate advisor and was selected as a member of the Texas A&M University - Kingsville System's doctoral degree committee until his full retirement in 2010.

Dr. Salinas was bestowed with many honorary recognitions, awards, and published works including one of the first scholarships from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and achieved Life Membership in the Knights of Columbus. He was presented with the Key to the City of Corpus Christi for his profound and impacting service to education and was a member of MENSA International.

Manuel considered his family as his life's greatest legacy, and his proudest accomplishment. He is dearly missed by his loving wife, family, friends, colleagues, and former students. He has truly and profoundly touched countless lives and served as an inspiration for us all.

Funeral services were arranged with Ramon Funeral Home in Robstown, Texas. Visitation was held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday October 5, 2023, followed by praying The Holy Rosary at 11:00 a.m., A mass of Christian burial was at 1:00 p.m., which was celebrated at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church, and The Rite of Committal and interment followed at Memorial Park cemetery.

The Salinas family is grateful to Dr. Alexander and all other attending doctors, nurses and staff at the Emergency Trauma Center and the ICU team at Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi- Shoreline, Christus Spohn Hospital Kleberg-Kingsville, Kingsville's Emergency Medical and HALO -Flight Services, Del Cielo Nursing staff-Alice, TX, Del Cielo Home Hospice Administration, Nurses and staff - Corpus Christi, TX, and Lino Reyes and Eloy Perez for their kindness, care, and devotion to Manuel's comfort and well-being.