Manuel was born on December 19, 1946 in El Paso, Texas. Born to Cruz and raised with his grandparents, Manuel was blessed with two brothers and three sisters. He spent his childhood and teen years in El Paso, before joining the Army and settling in California, near his mother and her husband, who treated him as his own son. In 1966, Manuel enlisted in the Army and years later would spend years volunteering for the National Guard. In 1970, he welcomed his first daughter Debra and in 1975, welcomed his second daughter, Lisa. During this time, he worked at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, Ca. There he worked with family and made many lifelong friends. In June of 1984, Manuel started his long and proud career working for the California Department of Corrections. First working in Norco and then, retiring in November 2008 from Patton State Hospital.

Manuel and Estela were married in 1992 and remained happily devoted to each other until his passing. They were best friends and definitely soul mates formed by God himself. Manuel was a devout Catholic, they spent many happy hours with friends at St. Joan of Arc-Catholic Church.

He was a loyal lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, he appreciated good music, he was a true crime buff and was able to answer Jeopardy questions with ease. Whether it was with a joke or wise cracks, he was a major presence everywhere he went. He will be remembered fondly, painfully missed and forever loved.