Raymond C. Manear

Raymond Manear was a man of mystery. He had many aliases over the years but only two were known: Ray or Buddy. Over the years, some knew him as an Airmen for twenty years in the United States Airforce and some knew him as a supervisor for twenty years at the Temple, TX VA Hospital. He met his handler (wife), Evonne, in the valley of south Texas and they would go on to face the world together for 59 years. In between mission (work) and covert ops (more work) they were able to bring two sons into the world, Raymond and Tracy. The eldest of the two, Raymond, was responsible for delivering him quite possibly the best gifts he would ever receive in the form of two grandchildren, Sydney (Dumb ole girl) and Jacob (Jake), who would go on to graduate from UMHB and UTSA respectively; a fact that he was immensely proud of. After forty years of service, mom and dad had some down time and set to laying low and traveling the country for five years; seeing and enjoying what this country had to offer coast to coast and border to border. Dad, not a man that likes to let the grass grow under his feet, took to running drugs (radioactive isotopes) for possibly the nicest drug dealers in the central Texas area for another long stretch. He was a man of many hobbies: golf, chess, automotive restoration, fishing, and snow and water skiing just to name a few. Taking up golf started out just as a way to connect with my brother and I, but in doing so dad formed many new friendships. Whether through his legion post 133 buddies or scrambles out at Sammons; he was even spotted a time or two sharing some Ultras with one of his best buds, Hoops, on the links. I’ve been lucky enough to meet many of the people he called friends over the last 10 years and I have gone on to call them friends myself. While on the job, dad was known to be a real hard ass. But to his friends he was an easy-going and generous person and would do anything for anyone; his generosity was never ending. Dad developed amazing friendships with amazing people that would, and in some cases did, last decades. His influence will be missed. I know I can speak for my brother in saying we were beyond lucky, some may say blessed, for having one of the best men on earth to call Dad.