Manuel Infante

Manuel Infante our beloved family member, friend, husband and grandfather (poppy) passed away on November 25, 2025. While words cannot capture the depth of our loss, we remember a life filled with kindness, laughter, and meaningful connections. Manuel loved the Lord and will live with his Lord and Savior in eternity.

Manuel was born March 18, 1954, at Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma to Waldean (Daniel) McDonald and James Infante, where his father served in the Air Force as a med-tech. As a result of his father's Air Force career Manuel attended school in different states. When Manuel was 10 years old and attending 6th grade in San Antonio, he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma that develops in the rib, a rare cancer for a child. He was admitted into the base hospital where they removed the rib, and he had a long recovery period. A very critical surgery for a child and a 50/50 chance of survival and cure. Manuel was a fighter and survived. He was in an article of the New England Medical Journal for being the youngest diagnosed with this disease. The family moved to Oklahoma City where his father retired and Manuel began attending school in the Western Heights School district in 7th grade. He graduated from Western Heights High School in 1972. He was a member of the Honor Society throughout his high school years. He attended college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in May of 1976. During his college years he was a member of KAPPA DELTA PI, An Honor Society in Education. Manuel began his teaching career at El Reno High School where he also coached football. There was a better opportunity in Kansas to be a head coach which was his great desire and made the decision to move to Kansas. While in Kansas he coached football and girls' basketball. After four years in Kansas, he decided to move back to Oklahoma and began teaching at Western Heights as a High School Math teacher and coached girls' softball. Manuel touched countless lives with his warmth and humor during his tenure as a teacher and coach. He was admired by his students, and they appreciated his humor and his approach to teaching math by making it simple and easier to understand. Every morning began with him writing an inspirational quote or Bible verse on the board to encourage morals and good thinking in his students. Manuel was selected as Outstanding Young Man of America for 1992. During his tenure he was listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers when selected by Western Heights as a teacher with superior instructional abilities in 1996 and 2000. He was selected by a student of merit as a teacher who made a difference in the life of that student, and he was acknowledged for excellence as a distinguished educator in 1998. Manuel formed the chess club at Western Heights and coached the students as they won many chess tournaments. He loved chess and would follow the Grand Master tournaments. St. Louis is the host to the Sinquefield Cup and he was able to watch the tournament in person two times and meet the Grand

Masters and world champions in chess, quite a thrill for him. He retired from teaching after 24 years and went to work at Tinker Air Force Base in Human Resources and retired after 13 years of civil service. In 2002 Manuel married Melinda and they enjoyed traveling together and spending time with their grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his father, James Infante and his mother Waldean (Daniel) McDonald and niece, Michele Roth-Green. He is survived by his wife, Melinda Infante of Oklahoma City, his estranged son, Joshua Infante of California, his grand-children Alyssa Infante and Sean Infante of Frisco, TX, his step-son Matthew Tompkins and his wife Abby Jo Tompkins of Oklahoma City, his grandchildren Arlo Tompkins, Ellis Tompkins and Ira Tompkins, of Oklahoma City his sister, Pat Smith and her husband Koby Smith of Yukon, his niece Christi Roth of Yukon and his brother, Tom Infante of Oklahoma City, Sister-in-law, Betty Skyles and her husband Harry Skyles of Sherwood, Arkansas, sister-in-law, Glenda Gust and her husband Steve Gust, of Yukon as well as other nieces and nephews, friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Alzheimer's research or a charity of your choice in his memory.

May his soul rest in peace, and may we find comfort in celebrating a life so beautifully lived.