Manuel A. "Meme" Avila, Jr.

Manuel A. “Meme” Avila, Jr., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at the age of 54.  Meme, or as his family also knew him, Sonny, was a proud 1985 graduate of Hebbronville High School and a 1988 Ranch Management graduate of TSTI (Too Sexy To Ignore as he called it).

What do you say about a man who needs his own book?

Meme was a jack of all trades; however, he was a Vaquero at heart. Since High School, he graced the land of many South Texas ranches, including Kaffie Ranch, Jones Ranch Alta-Vista, Wyatt Ranches, La Encantada, La Violeta, and Rancho Solo.  He was the heart of his family and a man of strong faith who worked tirelessly to provide for them.  As an oilfield project manager, he spent many months away working on projects across Texas, but he always made his way back home to his wife and kids.  After years of traveling, Meme retired and returned to South Texas to be with his family.  He was an avid outdoorsman, he loved weekends in a deer blind with his kids; and there was always a humorous story that came with it (like gut shots with his daughter Tori). Trips to the Frio River was a must, but family and friends had to be on their toes with Meme (ya never knew when you’d wake up alone… in the river…to the sound of crickets). And rest assured, he was the “trompo” of any dance floor.  And, although he retired, he never lost touch with his West Texas family, who welcomed him with open arms; he was quickly nicknamed “The Mayor of the Permian Basin”.

Meme, along with wife Glenda, were faithful parishioners of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish; within the week before his passing, he became a member of the Knights of Columbus.  Meme was a faithful servant to the Lord; he gave his all to the community and touched the lives of so many people.  He had the biggest heart, with a contagious laugh and humorous ways, that would light up any room.  He never met a stranger; he would stop in his track and pray with you if needed.  Meme was the epitome of a true friend, he had that magical touch, and it was genuine. And this is what made Meme so special; he will be immensely missed by all who knew and loved him.  Happy Hunter Nation Brother…

He is preceded in death by his father, Manuel Alvaro Avila, Sr.; father-in-law, Rene C. Ramirez; maternal grandparents, F.H. “Lacho” and Aurora “Yoya” Cantu; and paternal grandparents, Aurelio and Idolina Avila.

Among those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 31 years, Glenda R. Avila; daughters, Victoria (Ja’Quay Pough) Avila, Claudia Margot Avila, and Karina Consuelo Avila; son, Manuel Avila, III.; mother, Linda C. Avila; mother-in-law, Rosa R. Ramirez; sister, Laura (Dr. Anselmo) Garcia; brothers, Marco (Cindy) Avila and Tomas Gerardo “Toto” (Leticia) Avila; sister-in-law, Leticia (Bobby) Tolentino; brother-in-law, Rene (Vanessa) Ramirez; his pride and joy, grandson, Ja’Quay “Baby Quay” Pough, II.; numerous nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and extended family; and many friends.

The family will receive condolences on Monday, October 3, 2022, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Hebbronville, TX, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm; with a holy rosary to be recited at 5:30 pm followed by a holy mass at 6:00 pm.  Final viewing will take place on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, from 8:00 am to 10:30am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish; with a mass of christian burial to be celebrated at 11:00 am.  Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery, Hebbronville, TX.

Honoring Meme as pallbearers are Rene Martinez, B.J. Tolentino, Marky Avila , Rolando Silguero, Osvaldo ‘Guero” Chapa, Manuel Avila, III., Manny Avila, and Justin Lino Escamilla.

Honorary Pallbearers, Marcel Avila, Rene “Dos” Ramirez, II., Jerry Pena, Juan Escamilla, Ruben Rodriguez, Odell Ruiz, Rene Rodriguez, Jr., R.J. Rodriguez, Bobby Lee Tolentino, III.,  Ashton Tolentino, Albert Pena, Jr., C.J. Guerra, Lamar Perez, David Carlos Perez, Trevor Brazile, Jackie Wilson, Andy Gonzalez, Jr., Patrick Smith, Gilbert Carrillo, Adam Carrillo, Jovanni Marquez, JoJo Alaniz, Marky Gonzalez, Ricky Munoz, Luke McCann, Jessie Munoz, Fe rnando Munoz, Javier Morales, Josh Morales, Joel Morales, Agapito “Chuco” Silguero, and Rolando Ramos.

Services humbly entrusted to the staff of Alaniz Funeral Home and Turcotte-Piper Mortuary.