Manuel Zamora

1943 - 2025

Manuel Zamora
March 2, 1943 - October 25, 2025
Manuel "Memito" Valadez Zamora, age 82, of San Antonio, Texas, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Creator on October 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born on March 2, 1943, in Palito Blanco, Texas, Memito was a shining example of Christian faith, intelligence, love, and selflessness throughout his life.

Memito's journey began as a bright and ambitious young man who graduated as Salutatorian from Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco High School. His academic gifts earned him a scholarship to Texas A&M Kingsville, but his path took a turn towards service when he chose to enlist in the U.S. Army to serve in Vietnam (though he could have been exempt from service as a full-time college student). It was there that he served with honor as a Military Policeman Sentry Dog Handler, forming an unbreakable bond with his German shepherd, Fritz, and safeguarding the lives of his fellow soldiers. His service to his country was among his proudest achievements and shaped the man he would become.

After returning from the war, Manuel began his career with the San Antonio City Water Board, an institution that would evolve into the San Antonio Water System (SAWS). He dedicated thirty-seven years of service to SAWS, earning recognition for impeccable, error-free work documentation, as well as setting records for work attendance by amassing thousands of hours of unused sick leave. Manuel's work ethic and dedication to service were simply incomparable.

Manuel was a devoted husband to his wife, Delia Quesada Zamora, for over fifty-four years. Their marriage was one of mutual support and unwavering partnership. Together, they raised four daughters-Alicia, Lucinda, Rosanna, and Herlinda-instilling in them the values of faith, education, and the importance of family. His daughters, sons-in-law, Richard Mendoza and Christopher Wiley, along with his grandchildren-Sebastian, Christopher, and Olivia Vazquez; Sofia Zamora-Wiley; Steven and Alina Mendoza; Vincent Tolliver and Tristan Casias-were a constant source of joy and pride for Memito.

A man of deep Christian faith, Manuel was a fixture in his Catholic Church community, lifting his voice in song to praise the Lord. He loved strumming his guitar and singing, from hymns in the church choir to the traditional rancheras and boleros that spoke to his heritage. His spirituality was further expressed through his dedication to reading the Bible, a book he read from cover to cover over a dozen times, each reading deepening his understanding and faith.

Memito's legacy is one of unwavering love for his family, steadfast service to his community and country, and a life lived with a selfless heart. He will be remembered for his intelligence, his loving nature, and his ability to see the best in others. To know him was to love him. To love him was to know deep joy and laughter, as his sense of humor was one of his most precious gifts.

His daughters and extended family count their blessings that Dad lived and taught them the power and peace of living a life of what he called: "Faith Immutable."


Services will begin with a visitation being held at Castle Ridge Mortuary - West located at 8008 West Military Dr. San Antonio, TX, 78227 on Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Services continue the following day, Friday, November 14, 2025 with the final visitation taking place at Castle Ridge Mortuary - West located at 8008 West Military Dr. San Antonio, TX, 78227 from 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Immediately following the final visitation the funeral procession will depart to Saint Dominics Catholic Church located at 5919 Ingram Rd. San Antonio, TX, 78228 where a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 P.M. Immediately following the funeral mass the funeral procession will depart for Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd. San Antonio, TX, 78209 where the committal service with the rendering of military honors will take place at 2:00 P.M.