Arlington, TX Edward Manzano Jr. Edward Manzano, Jr. died peacefully after a brief illness on November 7th, 2016 in Arlington, TX at the age of 98. He is survived by children, Cynthia A. Vessier, Helen O. Deavenport, Anna C. Hill, and Edward E. Manzano; siblings, Gabriel Manzano and Julia Manzano; grandchildren Jason Booker, Helen Milner, Jacqueline Hill, Jennifer Hill, Megan Deavenport, Matthew Deavenport, and Madeline Deavenport; great grandchildren Olivia Uriona, Riley Zavesky, Ashley Jensen, and Avery Milner; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by wife, Omelia Manzano; brothers Mariano Manzano, Theordore Manzano, Gabriel Manzano; sister Rafela Alvear; son-in-law John M. Hill. Edward was born on May 28, 1918 in Wapanucka, OK to Eduardo and Jovita Manzano. He moved to Brownsville, TX at the age of 10 and grew up in El Jardin where he attended school. Along with his family, he labored as a migrant farm worker and traveled with the crops. After graduating high school, he spent two years at Brownsville Junior College before signing up with the U.S. Marines at the start of World War II. He served in Okinawa and Iwo Jima as a staff sergeant and earned a presidential commendation and three combat stars. He graduated from University of Texas at Austin with a master's degree in education. Ed began his career at Cummings Junior High School, where he met his future wife, Omelia Pina. They married on July 9, 1955. He served as principal at Cummings Junior High until 1975. He went on to become the first principal of James Pace High School where he served until his retirement in 1983. In 2010 he was honored with a school named after him; Edward Manzano, Jr. Middle School. In his younger days, Ed was passionate about boxing. At one point he was a Golden Glove Welter Weight Champion of the Rio Grande Valley. He was a licensed pilot. He loved fishing and shared that passion with his son. He was adamant about daily exercise; riding his recumbent bike up until the very end. Edward Manzano, Jr. was also devoted to his community as a member of the Kiwanis, St. Mary's Parish, board member of The United Way, as well as serving on the Brownsville City Commission. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, November 18, 2016 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 7720 Boone Rd, Houston, TX, 77072.