Manuel Zavala III's Obituary
Weslaco—Manuel Zavala III, 60, passed away on April 3, 2026. He was born on July 31, 1965, in Weslaco, Texas, to Manuel and Otila (Hernandez) Zavala.
Growing up, Manuel worked as a migrant, traveling north with his family for half the year. Working alongside his brothers and sisters, he developed a strong work ethic that would guide him throughout his life.
As a teenager and young adult, Manuel enjoyed playing basketball and racquetball. After graduating from Weslaco High School in 1983, he proudly served his country in the Army National Guard and later continued his service in the United States Air Force. A devoted, strong, and courageous man, Manuel carried his sense of duty and integrity into every area of his life. He dedicated 27 years of his career to General Electric, where he worked in aviation. His hard work and reliability were well known.
Manuel was the epitome of a good man—a kind and genuine soul who brought family and friends together. He had a deep love for music, fishing, and football, and always went above and beyond for those around him. He cherished sharing fishing trips and beach outings with loved ones, creating priceless memories and meaningful life lessons.
What began as a natural curiosity for mechanics and aviation grew into a lifelong passion. Manuel became an expert in his field and found great joy in teaching others, especially his children and grandchildren. He also had an extensive knowledge of classic movies and music and loved engaging in friendly trivia—often turning car rides into lively “name that song” competitions. To stay current, he enjoyed watching new releases and inviting others to join him at the movies. Above all, Manuel believed in doing the right thing and striving to be a better person each day.
His greatest joy in life was his family, especially his grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to support them, faithfully attending football games, school events, ballet performances, and church activities. His presence was constant, and his love unwavering.
Manuel was easy to love—a humble, kind, and accepting man who welcomed everyone as they were. He lived with a servant’s heart, always checking on others and caring deeply about their well-being. Known for his warm smile and his signature scent of Carolina Herrera, Manuel left a lasting impression on everyone he met. His faith never wavered, and over the years, he grew even closer to Jesus.
Manuel is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Manuel and Rosa Zavala Sr.; maternal grandparents, Luis and Isidra Hernandez; his parents, Manuel and Otila Zavala Jr.; his sister, Irene Zavala; his nephew/Godson, Jesus David “JD” Santellana; his aunts, Herminia Hernandez, Isabel Hernandez, and Anita Mireles; and his uncles, Santiago Zavala and Guadalupe Zavala.
He is survived by his children, Manuel Zavala IV (Ruby Myranda), Victoria Lynn Zavala (Jesus Manuel Lopez), and Paul Anthony Zavala (Anahim Delicia); his siblings, Rita Zavala Correa (Arturo), Elena Zavala Saenz (Ernesto), Rosalinda Zavala Guerra (Aurelio), Ramiro Zavala (Sylvia), Linda Zavala Gutierrez (Rolando), and Judy Zavala, his beloved grandchildren, Kelvin Manuel Flores, Iysis Paige Aguirre, Paul Anthony Zavala Jr., Amaya Delicia Zavala, Angelinna Joyce Zavala, Ellie-Lyn Amber Flores, Ielley-Lyn Frances Flores, Zechariah Manuel Zavala, and Dante Manuel Zavala; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. The family will meet at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Edcouch, where mass will be celebrated at 10 am. Burial will follow at Sacred Park Cemetery in Mercedes, Texas.
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