Manuel James Belasco

Emmanuel Bayona Belasco passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, at the age of 77. He was born on April 1, 1948, a Thursday, to Carmen and David Belasco in San Antonio, TX. Manuel attended Fox Tech High School, graduating in 1966. He was inducted into the Army in March 1968 and served in Vietnam from August 11, 1968, to August 10, 1969, as an infantry pointman, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 61st Infantry, Fifth United States Army. His battalion is known as the Wolfhounds. During his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 devices. He was honorably discharged in March 1970. Manuel married Sylvia Delgado, in 1972, and together they had six children. Manuel started his own business, Bayona Electric, after working for several years in the industry with his brother, Jesse Morales. After his first marriage ended, he met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Libby) Mathison. They married in 1999 and lived happily together in Wimberley, TX, for the rest of his days. Manuel was a force of a human being who was capable of such beautiful, magical things; he was also an imperfect man who struggled after Vietnam. He was devoted to his family and loved his children, yet he was a complicated person to know. He passionately pursued a relationship with God and wanted to share that with people around him. He was known for his uniqueness, intensity, sharpness, and strength. His wicked sense of humor, boisterous laugh, wit, and intellect were infectious. He challenged everyone around him, had a remarkable sense of adventure, took pride in his work, and derived satisfaction through creating and building things with his hands. He loved to bond with his children through the Star Wars character, Darth Vader, and Arnold Schwarzenegger movies. The best parts of him live on in his children. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) Belasco; six children: G. Denisa Haden (Brad) of Austin, TX; La-Nett Belasco (Ray Roberts) of San Antonio, TX; James E. Belasco of San Antonio, TX; December Belasco (Jim Cook) of Glen Carbon, IL; Gabriel M. Belasco of Seattle, WA; Cinnamon Ann Schulze (Ryan Martin) of San Antonio, TX; eight grandchildren: Allison, Annamarie, Matthew, Kristopher, Madelaine, Harrison, Lilith, and Cooper; sisters: Beatrice Ramos, Sylvia Estrada, Sonia Flores; and brother, Jesse Morales. He is preceded in death by his mother Carmen, father David, nephew Joseph Morales, sister-in-law Frances (Bonnie) Morales, brothers-in-law Humberto Estrada and Roger Flores, his pup-children Dakota, Daisy, Dugan, Snoopy, and Cream, and one cat-child, Misha. May the Force be with you, Dad. You carried the fire! We will love you forever. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Manuel, please visit our floral store.