Manuel V. Munguia

In Loving Memory

A beloved husband, loving father, and devoted grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather, firstborn son to the family’s patriarch, the late Manuel Munguia Sr. and Porfirdia Valenzuela Munguia and third of twelve children, Manuel Valenzuela Munguia, 79 years old passed away in January, 2021.

Manuel was born in Taft, Texas in 1941.  In 1956, Manuel met Elsa Guebara and married her in 1959.  Later they had their first child, a baby girl. Manuel’s first job was in the cotton fields where his father wanted him to work.  Not long after, he landed another job at the airport and worked as an airport maintenance worker. After some time in Texas, Manual joined his father in Portland, Oregon for an opportunity in the logging industry and later for a major railroad company as a railroad worker.  It was at this time that his second daughter was born. After a couple of years, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona to be closer to his family. Thereafter, Manuel was blessed with two additional children, a girl, and a boy.  At that time, he had a variety of odd jobs including a: restaurant server, cotton gin bail-presser, and golf course maintenance worker. Manuel’s next big move was when he was invited by his brother, Humberto to work in Ajo, Arizona as a copper miner.  He was excited for that opportunity and enjoyed working in the copper mines for many years. Some of Manuel’s best family memories were made in Ajo which included: coaching Josie and Molly’s softball team and teaching the children how to drive:  he started them off with motorcycles. Eventually, the copper mines closed and he moved the family back to Phoenix where he worked with and his son (also named Manuel) laying block in the Pinnacle Peak area – they built the first subdivision there called Los Gatos. Also, Manuel worked with Molly and Sylvia at a window manufacturing warehouse in Mesa, Arizona where he demonstrated fundamental principles and values about work ethics, equality, and how to balance work and life. In his free time Manuel, with his wife purchased land near Show Low, Arizona, and built a cabin on the property with the help of family and friends. Manuel’s final construction job was in the Phoenix area and he worked for Farnsworth Construction where he drove a grader for 18 years until he retired.

Wherever Manuel went he made friends.  He lived by the Golden Rule – he always sought to help people and shared whatever he had.  There are many stories about his kindness to others in his daily walk of life.  Also, Manuel’s children always felt safe and protected knowing that dad would always be there for any need they might have.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Processional and Viewing on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at 11 am with a service to be held at Tri-City Baptist Church located at 2111 W. Germann Road, Chandler, Arizona 85286. Interment at 11 am is at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery located at 10940 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona 855248 (480) 895-9232.  COVID-19 restrictions will apply – face masks will be required and service seating will be spaced for attendees.  To share your condolences, please visit buelermortuary.com.

Manuel Munguia will forever be cherished in the lives of his devoted wife and children: Molly Bayba (David) of Chandler, Arizona, Sylvia Munguia Esparza (Victor) of Phoenix, Arizona, and Manuel Munguia, III (Brenda) of Tempe, Arizona; thirteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; sisters: Armandina Munguia, Ursula Castillo (Roque),  Enriqueta Ramon (Jesus), Carmen Munguia and brothers: Humberto Munguia and Robert Munguia.

Manuel Munguia was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Josie Jurado, sisters: Theresa Reyna, Maria Trinidad Castro, Thommie Barron, Ofelia De La Rosa, Evangelina Ramon, and brother, Julio Munguia.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, “through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”

Romans 5.