Manuel Reyes Sr.

In the early morning hours of March 8, 2025, Manuel Reyes Sr. 86, left this earthly life and entered eternal life. He lived a fruitful, blessed life together with his wife and the enormous family they created.

Manuel Sr. was born on December 9, 1938, in Bishop, TX. He was the 5th of 12 children born to Valentine and Antonia (Rangel) Reyes.

In 1956, he met the love of his life, Francisca, as they were picking cotton in Casa Grande, Arizona. In his words, “He knew he wanted to be with her, and went back for her”, and so their love story began.

They married in 1957 and had 12 children. They raised their family in Kingsville, TX. His strength, dedication, devotion, and immense love was a true testament of the man he was. A beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother and Tio, lived a life of kindness and service to our Lord. He was the patriarch of the family, inspiring those around him with his guidance and wisdom. His wit and how he gave everyone a nickname, will remain a cherished memory always.

Manuel spent 29 years of his life with Union Pacific Railroad, retiring with pride after decades of hard work. After retirement, he found joy in tending to his garden (which he was quite proud of) tinkering with cars, and caring for his “piggies” and chickens.

A true jack-of-all-trades, Manuel was a self-taught mechanic, carpenter, and electrician. His children and many grandchildren were fortunate to learn valuable life skills from him, as he shared all he knew with them.

He was greeted in Heaven by his parents, his sons, Ruben Reyes, Jesus “Jesse” Reyes, Rudolpho “Rudy” Longoria; his siblings, Antonio Reyes, Juan Reyes, and Refugia Alonzo; grandsons, Jose Alberto Reyes, Matthew Reyes and Enrique Flores; granddaughter, Valerie Suzette Reyes; as well as many other family members.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Francisca (Cruz) Reyes; children, Manuel Reyes Jr. and wife Esmeralda, Susana Hernandez and husband Ruben, Rosemary Reyes and husband Juan Sanchez, Valentin Reyes and wife Monica, Guadalupe R. Puente and husband Victor, Jose Luis Reyes and wife Sally, Antonia R. Lopez and husband Heriberto, Carlos Reyes and wife Angela, and Frances R. Vasquez and husband Johnny. There are 47 grandchildren to carry on his life and legacy and they will pass down all their special memories to his 125 great grandchildren; and 21 great- great grandchildren with 3 more on the way. He is also survived by his siblings, Guadalupe Fuentes, Isabell Arismendez, Pedro Reyes, Alberta Ruiz, Maria Ebanez, Jose Reyes, Sofia Barnes and Billy Reyes; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a plethora of other family members.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Turcotte-Piper Funeral Home in Kingsville, from 5 PM to 9 PM. Funeral services will be Monday, March 17th at 12:30 PM at the funeral home chapel. A rite of committal and interment will follow at Santa Gertrudis Cemetery, located in Kingsville, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Roy Perez, Hector Hernandez, Rico Vasquez, Ruben Reyes, Valentin Reyes, Jr., and Heriberto Lopez.

Honorary pallbearers are Ruben Lopez, John Hartley, Jesse Reyes, and Jay Vasquez.

Grandpa, you will never be forgotten, and all your goodness will live in us. Let’s remember grandpa by living by his example-Live with kindness, forgiveness and be merciful to others.