Carlos Mancillas

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlos and Maria Mancillas, and his brother, Eduardo Mancillas.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Noemi Mancillas; his son, Jaime Adrian Mancillas; his two daughters, Karla Nicole (Nikki) Mancillas and Kristen Melissa (Missy) Mancillas; his grandson, Dominick Mancillas; his sister, Rosa Rodriguez; and numerous nieces, cousins and nephews.

Carlos was born and lived his whole life in Brownsville. He graduated from Brownsville High School and attended Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) and UTB-TSC where he majored in art.

Carlos will be remembered for a great many things, but above all else, he was a dedicated family man. He was married for 40 years to the love of his life, Noemi. She walked into his place of employment and they were immediately smitten with each other. After their first date (where she brought along her friend—just in case), they were never apart again.

His three children were his pride and joy and he never missed an opportunity to sing their praises to others. From the moment he became a father, he lived his life for his kids. He went above and beyond for them in every way possible and loved them unconditionally. Protective, loving, and supportive, he was everything a good dad should be. He adored his children and they adored him right back.

His love for his family began with the love he had for his parents and siblings. A doting son if there ever was one, he would visit his beloved mother, Maria, on an almost daily basis until she departed this earth. That love extended to his many nieces and nephews, many of whom have expressed that they considered him a father figure in their formative years.

The newest addition to his family was his furbaby, Bowie Nova. He wanted a dog for many years, but his wish wasn’t fulfilled until he retired last year. It turns out, he was just waiting for the right dog to be born. True to her name (Nova) she appeared suddenly in his life with great energy and turned his world upside down in the best way possible.

A steadfast believer in God, his faith was a driving force in his life. Along with his wife, he taught youth classes at his church and served as a deacon for several years.

His lifelong passion was art. An immensely talented and accomplished artist, he honed his craft as a student at TSC and Texas A&I in the 1970s. There, he was a founding member of the Chicano art collective Brownsville City Limits. Carlos and the close-knit group of friends in the collective lived and breathed art, depicting their rich, shared culture in their work. They reunited temporarily nearly 30 years later, and since then, Carlos continued to create art, exhibiting his artwork at numerous venues around town.

Starting from a young age, Carlos’ work ethic was unmatched. He retired as the Assistant Store Manager at Goodyear last year after 27 years with the company. Along the way, he also worked as a college bookstore manager. No matter where he worked, he consistently delivered unparalleled customer service. His customers were more than just business to him; he treated each one as if they were a friend, making him a favorite among his regulars.

Another one of his passions in life was music, especially classic rock. He had an extensive record collection that would make any music enthusiast jealous. He started going to concerts at a young age and never stopped. It was a pastime that he continued with his kids and they look back on those concerts together as some of the best memories with their dad. Some of his favorite bands/musicians included The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and Need to Breathe. If he wasn’t blasting a record, you could usually catch him watching a game, especially his beloved Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros. No matter how well or poorly they were doing, he was a loyal fan through and through.

Among all the many things he was known for, he was famous for his impeccable style. So much so that even random strangers would stop him on the street to pay him a compliment. He took great pride in putting together his unique and stylish ensembles, and he was something of a shopaholic, much to his wife’s dismay. From his perfectly curated outfits to signature hats to flawlessly coiffed mustache he always looked exceptionally dapper. His best accessory, though, was his megawatt smile. It was infectious and could brighten anyone’s day.

Carlos was 66 years young, but you wouldn’t guess it by looking at him. Forever a young spirit, he had the energy and zest for life of men half his age. He lived life to its fullest, using each day to show his loved ones what they meant to him. The number of people he touched in his lifetime is immeasurable. To know Carlos was to love him, and the world was a better place with him in it. He will be eternally missed.

A visitation for Carlos will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Chapel of Peace with a Prayer Service at 7 pm at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista, 125 Mcdavitt Blvd, Brownsville, Texas 78521.