Manuel Alvarez Escamilla, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to be with his Lord July 29, 2016, in Corpus Christi, Tx. "Bebo" to family and "Chito" close friends, he was known for his commitment to his family, love for his country and his solid work ethic. Despite recent health issues, Manuel worked all week prior to his sudden death.
Manuel was born in Runge, Tx. January 18, 1938 and raised in Corpus Christi, Tx. the second child of Manuel and Guadalupe Escamilla. After his father's death, his mom remarried Calletano Ramirez, the only father Manuel truly knew and loved.
He attended Roy Miller High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1958, some of that time in the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal and carried his commitment to country and military service for the rest of his life.
After the Marine Corps he was a foreman for HEB bakery and attended Del Mar College, earning his Welding Certificate. With that certification, he established a construction company, M & E Iron Works. He later opened All Star Muffler Shop, referred to by all who knew him as "The Shop" on Morgan Ave. He remained a self-employed businessman, even working a full day on the day of his passing. He considered every customer a friend and every employee a member of his extended family.
Manuel married the love of his life Susan Budd on August 7, 1960, and they began to raise their family. Manuel's strong convictions and deep compassion for others served as a solid role model for the Escamilla children. Daughter Laura studied business administration at Del Mar College, raised three daughters, and owns a staffing agency, Employee Risk Management Co Inc/All Temps Personal Services. Eldest son Victor earned a degree in secondary education from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and teaches high school biology and coaches baseball and football. Second son Patrick earned an associate's degree in HVAC from Austin Community College and is craft trade leader for the University of Texas Dell Medical School. Manuel's respect for education lit a path for the next son, Mark who is committed to expanding educational opportunities as president of Del Mark College. The youngest, son, Roman, will graduate in May with a doctorate in higher education administration from the Roueche Graduate Center at National American University and is an administrator in the Continuing Education Department at Austin Community College.
Manuel was a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather. He attended many T-Ball and Little League games as well as soccer and volleyball and football. Baseball was his life-long passion, and watching his kids and grandkids play brought a smile to his eyes. Inspired by his love for Dr. Hector P. Garcia, he deeply believed that education equated to freedom, and he encouraged his children and grandchildren to continuously advance their educations.
His home was the scene for birthday parties, anniversary and holiday celebrations. Even those ordinary occasions like Sunday dinner found the extended Escamilla family gathered around the dining room table.
Manuel had a unique talent for sewing that led him to master the skills needed to operate industrial-caliber machines. His recent passion was crafting hand-made leather items for his grandchildren. Last year he built Susan a swing in a gazebo beneath the American flag that is planted proudly in his front yard. The couple spent many hours talking, mostly of the aspirations, successes and challenges of his kids and their families. His sense of humor was a legendary source of pleasure for his friends, and sometimes a source of chagrin for his close family.
He loved loading down his blue and silver Ford Bronco with fishing gear and reveled in sail-line fishing with his buddies. Teaching the next generation of Escamillas a fool-proof casting technique or sharing the path to his favorite fishing hole would light up his face.
Manuel Escamilla is survived by his wife of 56 years, Susan Budd Escamilla; his five children, Laura (Rory) Escobar of Corpus Christi, TX, Victor (Ruth) Escamilla of Fischer, TX, Patrick (Jill) Escamilla, of Austin,Texas, Mark (Jodi) Escamilla of Corpus Chrisit, TX, Roman (Kelly) of Austin, TX; his grandchildren, Kristen Escobar, Allison (Marc) Escobar Ita, Megan Escobar, Tyler Escamilla, Lauren Escamilla, Eryn Escamilla, Benjamin Escamilla, Lucas Escamilla, Alora Escamilla, Braeden Escamilla, Garrison Escamilla, Holden Escamilla, and great-grandchildren; Aiden Ita, Madelyn Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Guadalupe Escamilla and step- father Calletano Ramirez.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Del Mar College Memorial Scholarship Fund, 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, Tx. 78404 (361)-698-1317, to empower the next generation of welding students to achieve their dreams.
Public visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Guardian funeral home chapel "A" with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that evening. Visitation will continue at 8:30 a.m. on Friday morning. A Funeral procession will depart Guardian funeral home on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. for an 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass to be celebrated at Most Precious Blood Catholic church 3502 Saratoga Blvd. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Coastal Bend State Veterans cemetery, 9974 IH 37 Access Rd. To leave condolences visit.www.Guardianfhcremation.com