He was born on January 1, 1938 in Dallas, Texas, a son of Andres and Ramona (Ovalle) Pantoja.
He married Sarah Villanueva on December 4, 1960 in Dallas.
She survives in Dallas.
He is also survived by three sons:
John Ramon (wife Priscilla) Pantoja,
Joe Manuel (wife Irma) Pantoja,
Sam Andrew (wife Ursula) Pantoja.
one daughter: Patricia Jane (husband Patrick) Pantoja-Sullivan.
Four granddaughters: Marissa Sarah, Mariana Alicia, Alisa Marie, and Alexandria Renee.
Two grandsons: Emmanuel Diego, and Paul Vincent.
Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and other relatives survive.
Manuel is preceded in death by his grandparents: Pantaleon and Josefa Ovalle, his parents: Andres and Ramona Pantoja, and one sister: Carmen Ramirez.
Manuel served in the U.S. Army from 1957 - 1959 with an honorable discharge.
He worked for the Dallas Morning News and retired from the Wall Street Journal.
He was very devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe and was known by the Guadalupanas as "El señor de las enchiladas.
For 32 years he prepared with much love the chili sauce for the Guadalupanas' Sunday food sales. He was so loved and spoiled by all the Guadalupanas.
He also did volunteer work for the Knights of Columbus and enchiladas for the Lions Club.
"PoPo" loved watching his grandchildren play all kinds of sports, the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. However, his favorite team was the Texas Longhorns.
He also loved going to Branson, Missouri, stoping at the casinos on the way. Scratching lotto tickets was an everyday thing for "PoPo", too.
A visitation for "Popo" will be held on Monday, March 25, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Calvary Hill North Chapel, located at 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, Texas 75220.
The rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM. Deacon Charlie Stump will lead the rosary.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Manuel will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, located at 2215 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201.
Burial will follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery with Army military honors accorded.
Calvary Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery in Dallas, Texas has charge of arrangements.
