Manuel S. Guerra

11/29/40 – 8/12/26

Manuel was born in the small border town of Roma in 1940. He followed his older brother to the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a BA in Microbiology (1965) and a BS in Pharmacy (1970). He went on to spend 30 years working for the Texas Department of Health, retiring in 1995.

Manuel met the love of his life, Maria Amelia Sanchez, on December 31, 1966 and married her on December 16, 1967. They would spend the next 59 years together, first in Austin and then in Round Rock, Texas.

Family was at the center of his life, and he found joy in the simple activities they shared. He loved jogging around the high school track, riding his bike around the neighborhood with his children and above all, spending time together. As his children grew and had families of their own, he treasured large family gatherings during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Christmas Eve was not complete without tamales; his favorite being pork tamales, heated until crispy.

Manuel had an inquisitive mind and lifelong curiosity about the world. His primary passions were genealogy and photography which appealed to his methodical nature and attention to detail.

In retirement, he devoted much of his time to genealogy. Manuel was a dedicated researcher who could trace his paternal line all the way to a Spanish innkeeper in the 1500s who lived in Asturias. He spent countless hours connecting with fellow genealogists who shared common ancestors, uncovering new cousins and discovering stories of those who came before him. He amassed an impressive collection of books and papers and had a database of nearly 1000 ancestors. He could, at any moment, rattle off the names of distant primos and explain how he was related.

Manuel remained deeply connected to South Texas and Roma, the place he was born and raised. He loved recalling stories from his youth and the mischief he and his friends got into. He was immensely proud of his family’s ranch in Fronton, land granted to his family by the Spanish crown in 1767.

Above all, Manuel found his greatest joy in his family. He was immensely proud of his four children, seven granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly and never missed an opportunity to playfully tease.

He is survived by his spouse of 59 years, Maria Amelia Guerra, daughters Veronica Guerra of Round Rock, Andrea Guerra of Austin, Marina Claxton and husband Corey of Hutto, his son Manuel Guerra Jr and his wife Kathryn of Austin, granddaughters Jordan Horn and husband Matthew Pruitt of Bulverde, Maria Horn of Crockett, Paige McGowin and husband Travis of New Orleans, Natalie Guerra of Austin, Eva Guerra of Austin, Mia Claxton and Emma Claxton of Hutto and great grandchildren Maddox Cuevas of Crockett and Penny Pruitt of Bulverde.

Surviving siblings are sisters Dolores Saenz of Corpus Christi, Sylvia Salinas of San Antonio, and Rosa Maria Guerra of McAllen and brother Roberto Guerra of Roma.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joel A. Guerra and Ana Reilly Guerra, brother Joel A. Guerra Jr and sister Enoe Garcia.

Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660, US, on August 20, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic, 4 St Eugene De Mazenod Ave, Roma, TX 78584, US, on August 22, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

A Commital Service will be held at Roma City Cemetery, 1874. 262 Grant St. (U.S. 83), Roma, TX 78584, US, on August 22, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.