Our well-loved Father and Grandfather passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Manuel, better known as JR, was born on June 27, 1927, to Manuel and Maria Gloria Souza.

He started as a Dairyman and later he became a Cattle Rancher and established Souza Ranches. One of Manuel's fondest memories was when he and Warren Wolfsen bought cattle for Wolfsen's Land and Cattle Company and later formed Southwest Cattle Company where he bought and sold cattle in El Paso, Texas, and California.

Years later Manuel pursued a career in real estate and worked for Ranchwood for many years before stepping out and becoming a Real Estate Broker opening Blossom Valley Realty.

Manuel was born and raised in Los Banos. He was an active member in the D.E.S. and he was President of Merced Mariposa Cattleman, in his younger years. Manuel's passion was the Big Band; he was the lead singer for the Swing 2000 Big Band, he also loved raising some Longhorn Cattle.

Manuel had four children: Ron, Gary, Patricia, and Diane.

Ron and Martha Souza have three sons: Christopher and his wife Laura and their children Caitlyn and her husband Chris, Ashley, and Nicholas; Michael and his wife Lisa and their children Cassie Jacob and Dana; and Adam and his wife Shawna and their children Adam J. and Jillian.

Gary's two daughters: Amanda and her husband Jefferey and their daughter Emerey; Anne and her husband Andres and their two sons Dylan and Blake.

Patricia and Darwin and their children: Stacia and her husband Ian; Shannon and her husband Adam and their children Kylie and Ashton; and their son Grant.

Diane and her husband James and their children: Jamie and her husband Rich and their two sons Clayton his wife Kristina, and Lance; Courtney and her husband Rick and their daughter Evie; Drew and his two daughters Jess and Raley.

Manuel was preceded in death by his wife Cecelia, his parents, his older sister Mayme, and son Gary.

Manuel was so loved by all his family and will be missed greatly by all who loved him. His greatest joy was his family.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Los Banos on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. followed by the burial at Los Banos District Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapels ~ Los Banos.

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