Manuel Escalante III

Visitation: will be from 5:00pm – 9:00pm Wednesday January 12, 2022, at Funeraria Del Angel on 8817 Dyer.

Burial services will be held at 10:30 am January 13, 2022, at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery on 8700 Dyer officiated by David Lopez from Centro Nueva Vida. Arrangements are by Funeraria Del Angel.

Manuel Escalante III was born in Fresnillo, Zacatecas to Soledad Friare and Manuel Escalante on March 9, 1944. He graduated from Bermudez Primaria in 1956 at the age of 12. His brother George paid for two years of attendance at Lydia Patterson Institute. Manuel dropped out of school due to lack of funding at age 14 causing him to fend for himself in the streets for 3 years with his friends. Manuel found his awakening upon being pushed by his friends to translate having been the only bilingual amongst them, to an American who needed directions. Completely understanding but having lost the ability to speak English found him at a crossroads. Manuel further added that he used the money he got from the American to buy a bottle of liquor but instead of drinking it, he left it with his friends and went home to cry himself to sleep. Lost in the direction his life was heading he prayed, “God I am not a laborer or carpenter, I have no profession and I do not know how to do anything. I am scared help me.” The following day Manuel spoke to his niece’s father Julio Rodriguez with the promise of Mr. Rodriguez paying for his education if he worked at one of his bars. Manuel Escalante worked throughout his education. He went to school at Instituto Ingles for one year to relearn English. He proceeded to attend La Academia Comercial Juarez to study Private Contractor & Secretary studies, graduating class of 1965. Manuel found employment with attorney’s working as a translator for couples seeking out a divorce. He met and married Concepcion Ofelia Jimenez on December 18, 1966. After establishing a family, he returned to school and completed his GED. He proceeded to seek out his education and enrolled at El Paso Community College, attaining his Associates in Business Administration. He then enrolled at UTEP attaining his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Determined to succeed in his higher education, he then enrolled at Phoenix University and attained his Master’s in Business Administration. Manuel Escalante enrolled at California Coast University and completed coursework and dissertation toward a doctorate degree in Business Administration, but due to not presenting his dissertation was regretfully denied his PHD. This did not take from his accomplishments.

He worked for Levi Strauss starting as a sewing operator and moved up the line to Instruction Supervisor, then Line Manager, and retired as a Technical Service Coordinator in 1998. He earned extra income as a Notary Public after his retirement.

Manuel Escalante is preceded in death by Soledad Chole Fraire Vasquez, Manuel Escalante, Maria de Jesus (Chuy), George, Irene, Rosa, Amelia, Margarita, Manuel (Manolo), Soledad, Panfila (Fili), & his great granddaughter Natalia A Ramos. A family reunited gathered together over caldo.

Manuel Escalante is survived by Sally Pacheco & Jose Ruiz, Manuel Escalante IV and Maryanne Escalante, Dori Cambron & Alexander Cambron. Grandchildren: Johnathan M Ramos, Madelle L Ramos, Lana Q Morgan, Zophael A Pacheco, Christian M Escalante, Crystal R Escalante, Caitlyn M Escalante, Ivy D Alba, Joshua I Rodarte, Faith J Rodarte, Zachary J Rodarte, and Kristen S Cambron. Great Grandchildren Oscar B Flores, Xander J Garay, Aidan J Alba, Alisha I Alba, Dominic T Lovato, Hunter L Smith, Vincent I Rodarte, Faelan P Rodarte, Layla J Rodarte, and Sebastian M Rodarte.

Pallbearers will be Manny Escalante IV, Johnathan Ramos, Julio Navar, Carlos Escalante, Raul Escalante Jr., and Jamie Covarrubias

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelKM.com for the Escalante family.