Dr. Jose H. Manzano

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Dr. José Hector Manzano, 83, of Brownsville, Texas, beloved brother, father, father-in-law, grandfather, husband, and friend, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, the 1st of October 2026, while hospitalized in McAllen, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 7, 1942, in Matamoros, Mexico and later became a naturalized citizen.

Intelligent and industrious, he began working to support his family while still a young child. After graduation from Brownsville High School, he earned an Associate’s degree from Texas Southmost College, a Bachelor of Science degree from Pan American University (UTRGV), and a Master of Science degree and Doctor of Education degree from East Texas State University (East Texas A&M). He achieved a successful career as a teacher, principal, administrator, and superintendent in the Brownsville, Dallas, Edinburg, Port Isabel, and Zapata school districts, where he was well loved and served as a mentor to many.

During his active retirement, he enjoyed visiting his children and spoiling his grandchildren, walking his sweet dogs, listening to music, traveling, reading biography and history books, performing yard, home, and auto maintenance, and completing numerous handyman projects, including a shed and gym he built in his backyard during the pandemic. He lived his faith in God by acts of generosity and personal sacrifice. Above all, he was a family man, from driving the van on vacations, barbequing on the weekends, baiting the hooks on fishing trips, washing South Padre Island or Boca Chica sand from kids’ feet after a beach day, dancing in the kitchen, and singing along to his favorite songs or the ones he made up. He loved, inspired, and encouraged his children. He was incredibly proud that all of them earned postgraduate degrees, and he lived to see his first grandchildren become university graduates. Every one of his children was at his side in his last, heartbreaking days. Even then, he was quick with a smile and joke for hospital staff and visitors and asked about others’ well-being. We grieve losing him and are grateful he was ours. The Manzano children are especially thankful to Father Patrick Seitz for his extraordinary kindness and comfort to Dad.

He was preceded in death by his parents, José M. Atkinson Manzano and Maria de los Angeles Capistran Manzano; his siblings, Magdalena Manzano and Sergio Ignacio Manzano; and by his wife of 48 years, Henrietta R. Manzano.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Yolanda Manzano; his children, Margarita Manzano Corbett (Jay), Angelita Manzano, Sylvia Rivera (Angel), José Javier Manzano, Miguel Román Manzano (Gloria), Yolanda Manzano (James Whisenant), Cynthia Manzano (Elijah Metcalf), and Ernesto Daniel Manzano (Amber); his grandchildren, Cynthia Nicole Corbett, Manisha Manzano Pandey, Lucas Manzano Rivera, Román Miguel Manzano, Julián Enrique Manzano, Shirley Dangelly Reid, Henrietta Nola Metcalf, Amelia Eva Metcalf, Alena Francesca Manzano, and Gabriel Román Manzano; his sisters, Matilde M. Ramirez (Reynaldo), Elvira M. Medina (Arnoldo+), Maria Elena M. Guzman (Abelardo+), Maria Guadalupe M. Gracia (Carlos+), Maria De Los Angeles M. Moorefield (Allen), and Yolanda M. Cortez (Alberto+); and by many loving nieces and nephews.

In honor of their loving parents, the Manzano children in 2025 established the Dr. José H. and Henrietta Manzano Legacy of Teaching Scholarship at UTRGV, which will make its first award to a student teacher this year.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, the 5th of October 2026 between the hours of three o'clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to be recited at seven o'clock Monday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at twelve noon on Tuesday, the 6th of October 2026 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as his pallbearers are Javier Manzano, Miguel Manzano, Ernesto Manzano, Jay Corbett, Angel Rivera, Jr., James Whisenant, Elijah Metcalf, Lucas Rivera, and Gabriel Manzano.

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, memorial gifts in his name may be directed to the Dr. José and Henrietta Manzano Legacy of Teaching Scholarship.

Memories of Dr. Manzano may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey, CFSP and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.