Manuel Romero Alarcon

Manuel Romero Alarcon was born on June 9, 1914 in Westbrook, Texas to Jesusita Romero and Theodoso Alarcon. He was the eldest of five siblings. At the young age of 12, his mother passed away. He was devastated at the loss of his mother. Throughout his younger years, Manuel lived in Ranger, Texas and El Paso, Texas. At age 10, Dad was knowledgeable in driving a motor vehicle. In 1931, at age 17, he won his first car; a Model A with a rumble seat, from a bet swimming across the Rio Grande River. Dad was 17 years old and residing in El Paso when he met Trinidad Saenz, four years his junior. Trini had a very strict family. The only way of communicating with one another was to write each other letters, which were passed through the neighboring fence for 3 years. On February 2, 1935 Manuel (21 years) and Trini (17 years) set off on their own to live together. In November of 1935, their first child was born. Mom remembered Dad saying "Que vasilon el vato es." when he first saw his son Manuel. On August 27, 1939, while expecting their second child Frances, Manuel and Trini were married by a justice of the peace in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mom and Dad had four more children; Amelia, Felix, Robert and Alicia. With such a rapidly growing family, Dad sought more work, which brought the family to Azusa, California, and in 1958 their last child, Sandra, was born. Dad was very young when he started working. He was a very intelligent man who could build and fix anything- a TRUE handyman! Dad built rock homes in El Paso that still remain there to this day. Dad had many hobbies. He enjoyed making miniature houses and once they were featured in the El Paso TV news. He also made a small stage coach that was entered in the Azusa Golden Days Parade, in which it won First Place. Dad loved to fish and even made his own bait. He would give his catch away to friends or even people he didn't know. Dad had a good, kind, heart and would always help anyone in need. When they would ask, "What do I owe you?" Dad would say, "Say a prayer for me tonight." Dad volunteered at several senior centers, a combination of 18 years in which he recieved many awards for his kind support. Dad loved his family very much and there isn't an honest thing he wouldn't do for us. He was a good husband and father. A man that you could look up to and truly be proud of, and even say that you have been blessed to have known such a great man!