Manuel Joseph Machado Jr.

1930 - 2025

Lodi wine grape farmer Manuel Joseph Machado, Jr of Clements died June 13, 2025, at home, holding the hand of his wife of 75 years, Eleanor.
Born to Manuel Joseph Machado and Anne Silvera Machado in Santa Clara on October 12, 1930, Manuel was the grandson of Portuguese immigrant Frank A Machado. Manuel was raised on a dairy farm in Santa Clara and attended Santa Clara High School, where he met Eleanor Costigan. They dated in high school with Manuel borrowing the car of his older sister, Irene, to go on dates. They quickly fell in love, becoming inseparable. The two married March 25, 1950.
In the Fall of 1957, Manuel and Eleanor moved their family to Lockeford. The sandy, fertile land along the Mokelumne River proved to be an ideal spot to grow almost any crop. And there, as a young man, Manuel developed the land and farmed wine grapes.
The great story of Manuel's life was his deep love and constant affection for Eleanor. They were incredibly close and talked over everything. They were of like mind in their decisions. She was his loving wife and his best friend. She advised him and danced with him. She raised his children. Their affection and joy were clear for all to see. He was faithful, loyal and generous. He loved Eleanor and then he loved her more. Their pet word for each other was "Honey", with most sentences starting with "Honey, what do you think about..." He was deferential to her wishes because he wanted her to be happy. They told stories of her missing him in the middle of the day and Eleanor driving out into the field to find him. Later in life she used her golf cart to keep close to him.
Manuel was involved in the Lodi community on many levels. He helped build the expanded his local church. He was active in the Lockeford Lions Club. He encouraged his children to participate in the Lockeford 4-H programs. He and Eleanor golfed together and participated in activities at the Woodbridge Country Club.
A consistent thread in his life was his love. He was always involved with the lives of his five children, ten grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He encouraged his children to become the best versions of themselves. He also loved those whom his family loved, expanding the clan to thirty-eight. After the grape harvest there was sure to be a family vacation. Near the Fourth of July, his family gathered each year for a family reunion. He liked to keep his family close. He always took time to call and visit and his concern for them drew the large family together.
Another thread in his life was his Christian faith. Sunday Mass was an integral part of his life. Serving others in the Church or the community came naturally for him. He would often say that his favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Easter. Thanksgiving was important to him because he was so grateful for all that God had provided him. And Easter represented the gift of Resurrection and life to come. Manuel was as comfortable grilling hamburgers at the Lockeford Lions Club booth at the Lodi Grape and Wine festival to raise money for the less advantaged as he was in the corporate boardroom. He served as a Director for the Federal Land Bank of San Joaquin County for over a decade. At the Land Bank he served on the Directors Loan Committee and assisted farmers who were struggling to make loan payments, advising them on practices to ensure the long-term success of their farms.
Manuel was a dedicated San Francisco 49ers fan. He had season tickets for over 32 years, always sharing the extra seats. Game days were filed with tailgating and cheering on his favorite football team with friends and family. Later, when he could no longer make the long drive to the stadium, he watched from home, celebrating the games with family.
He is survived by his loving wife Eleanor Machado and his five children and their spouses: Christopher and Colleen Machado of Acampo, Lester Machado and Robert Pedersen of San Diego, Anne and Erik Gilberg of Santa Rosa, Russell and Rhonda Machado of Clements, and Mary and Matt Boozer of Walnut Creek. He is also survived by his youngest sister, Marian Machado Evans.
He is survived by his ten grandchildren and their spouses: Ellis Machado, Christopher and Kim Machado, Maggie Culum, Kelsey and Greg Page, Dwight and Darcy Gilberg, Tyler Gilberg (TJ), Matthew Machado and Matt Dougherty, Colton and Alyssa Machado, Zachary Boozer and Eden Gavce, Jake and Margaret Boozer. He is also survived by his 14 great-grandchildren: Makailey Machado and Rollin Phelps, Max Machado, Madison and Brady Colburn, Macey and Jack Talley, Manuel Machado, Mason Culum, Miles Culum, Bodie Culum, Sloane Page, Nolan Page, Bentley Boozer, Hudson Boozer, Koen Boozer, Frankie Machado. Finally, he is survived by two great great-granddaughters: Noel Colburn and Grace Talley.
Memorial donations may be sent to support St Joachim Catholic Church in Lockeford, CA..