Theodore "Tad" Lance Manuel Jr., 51, of Sulphur, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025. He was born to Gloria and Ted Manuel on October 6, 1973 in Biloxi, MS. Tad served 12 years in the U.S. Army, where he obtained the rank of SGT and was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. As a civilian, Tad was a Nurse and Phlebotomy Tech at the Douglass Fournet Veteran Clinic. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, cooking, playing the harmonica or darts. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family, especially his daughters.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Morgan Gahan of El Paso, Texas and Reiley Gahan (Shawn Peters) of Santa Teresa, New Mexico; his mother, Gloria Ann Manuel of DeQuincy; sisters, Tamara Fontenot and husband, Johnathan of Lake Charles and Melissa Horner of Mesa, Arizona; and bonus brother, Brent Phelps and wife, Marsha of Sulphur.
Tad was preceded in death by his father, Ted Manuel.
A Celebration of Tad's life will be held at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home in Sulphur, Louisiana on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, beginning at 8:30 am until the time of the service. Tad will be laid to rest at the Southwest Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery in Jennings, Louisiana at 1:30 pm following the service.
Cremation has been entrusted to Hixson Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home.
Words of comfort, memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at, www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.