Jesus "Jess" Manzanarez passed away at home in the early hours of May 23, 2015. A highly intelligent man, Jess worked up to and including the day he was diagnosed with cancer. The combination of his incredible work ethic and amazing ability to master new skills allowed him to build homes, a thriving business, and an amazing family.
He was born January 21, 1928 in San Pedro, California to Jesus and Tomasa Manzanarez. Jess grew up impoverished in Hermosillo, Mexico. Determined to make a better life for himself, he returned to the U.S. in 1947. It is no surprise to those who knew his tireless work ethic that he quickly got a job working as an ice cutter for the Pacific Freight Railroad. It was this job that would bring him to Laramie, Wyoming where he met and fell in love with Felipa Mandujano. They married in 1949.
In 1961, as a member of the National Guard, he was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He moved with his young family to Tacoma, WA to serve at Fort Lewis. In 1962, the Manzanarez family moved to Casper, WY and it was here that Jess and Felipa spent the remainder of their lives in a marriage that lasted 66 years.
A budding entrepreneur, Jess started Jess's Frontier Gas Station in 1964, which expanded to Jess's Husky Travel Center. This well-respected family business would go on to thrive for over 30 years. In 1984, Jess was awarded the Minority Small Business Person of the year for the Rocky Mountain Region. He traveled to Washington DC to meet President Ronald Reagan for the award ceremony.
He was also a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church for over 30 years, where he served on the board and ushered for Saturday mass.
Jess is preceded in death by his wife, mother, father, and sister.
Jess is survived by his children: Gloria Pereda, Cindy Tharp, Rudy Manzanarez, Larry Manzanarez, Amelia Manzanarez, Angie Manzanarez and his step-children, Dick Lozano and Alice Rodemeyer. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Newcomer Funeral Home Chapel.
A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 AM, Friday, May 29, 2015 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with a reception to follow at the church hall.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Central Wyoming Hospice or the Casper Humane Society in his name.
To share your memories of Jesus or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.