In Memory Of
Manuel J. Vega
1922
2015
Manuel J. Vega
July 9, 1922 — April 10, 2015
Manuel J. Vega, 92, a longtime resident of Junction City, Ks. died in the early morning hours of April 10, 2015 at his home in Lake Arthur, La.
The eldest of nine children, he was born on July 9, 1922 to Jesus Maria Vega and his wife Mary Bernadette (Velarde) in Durango, Colo. He grew up in that city and graduated from Durango High School.
With the advent of WWII, he joined the U.S. Army and was eventually stationed in England. It was at this time he met Audrey Shaw at a dance in Bristol. They were joined in marriage on Nov. 3, 1945. His Army duties took the couple to Germany, back to England and then to the U.S. While stationed in Nuremberg, Manuel witnessed some of the WWII War Crimes Trials taking place in that city.
He left the Army with a rank of Master Sergeant mustering out at Fort Riley in 1952. He started his career working for Humphrey-Coover Chevrolet in Junction City. This started a long association with the local Chevy dealership through a series of owners. When Mr. Humphrey died, it became Coover Chevrolet, then Don Coates Chevrolet and finally Jim Clark Chevrolet. Throughout these transitions, Manuel became business manager and won several awards for his excellent skills in handling all the tasks associated with accounting at the dealerships.
After he retired in 1984 he helped area non-profit groups with their accounting needs and he and Audrey enjoyed their time off by taking trips to England to visit her family and many other close relatives.
Manuel was a devout Catholic and member of St. Xavier's Parish. He was a Third Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 1029 where he held many officer positions, including Grand Knight. He also was a member of the Monsignor Bradley Fourth Degree Assembly 298 and participated in their local and state activities.
A voracious reader, he enjoyed nothing more than to sit in his chair and consume any magazine, newspaper or book that would land in his lap. He was particularly fond of murder mysteries, with books by Agatha Christie and Ellery Queen mystery magazines high on his list of favorites. In his earlier years he also enjoyed a good game of 8-ball on the pool table. He many times coached friends and foes alike on how to make the best shot. Throughout his life he was an avid sports enthusiast always rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Manuel is survived by Audrey, his devoted wife of 69 years; three children: daughter Gloria O'Blanc and son-in-law Alton of Jennings, La.; daughter Susan Filson and son-in-law Jerry of Phoenix, Az.; and son Philip Vega and daughter-in-law Jolene of Junction City, Ks. His grandchildren include, Angie Mancuso of Junction City, Ks.; Kevin Sherwin of Lake Arthur, La.; Byron Filson of Phoenix, Az., Nigel Filson of New York, N.Y.; and Paul Vega of Seattle, Wash.
Other immediate surviving family members include brothers John Vega and his wife Carol of Centennial, Colo.; Richard Vega and his wife Marie of Murray, Utah; Jim Vega and his wife Evelyn of Salt Lake City, Utah; and one sister Anita Perea of Salt Lake City, Utah. Manuel also is survived by five great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jesus and Bernadette; his sisters Irene Abeyta and Filipita Vega; brothers Isidore Vega and Louie Vega; granddaughter, Julia Vega, and infant daughter, Pamela Vega.
A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 203 N. Washington St. A Mass of Resurrection will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at St. Xavier's Catholic Church, 218 N. Washington St. Internment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Junction City.
Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
The family would like to sincerely thank Mr. Vega's dedicated caregivers for their kind and loving care – Mary Dupuis, Martha Cormier, Faithe Trahan, Francesca Green, Sissy Broussard and Sarah Monceaux; Drs. Patrick Griffith and James McNally and their staff; Dusty Fontenot with Jeff Davis Home Healthcare; Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care of Jennings, and Kevin Klein, Miguez Funeral Home, Jennings, for his kindness and professional assistance.
Memorial donations can be made to: St. Xavier's School Fund, 200 N. Washington St., Junction City, Ks. 66441
The eldest of nine children, he was born on July 9, 1922 to Jesus Maria Vega and his wife Mary Bernadette (Velarde) in Durango, Colo. He grew up in that city and graduated from Durango High School.
With the advent of WWII, he joined the U.S. Army and was eventually stationed in England. It was at this time he met Audrey Shaw at a dance in Bristol. They were joined in marriage on Nov. 3, 1945. His Army duties took the couple to Germany, back to England and then to the U.S. While stationed in Nuremberg, Manuel witnessed some of the WWII War Crimes Trials taking place in that city.
He left the Army with a rank of Master Sergeant mustering out at Fort Riley in 1952. He started his career working for Humphrey-Coover Chevrolet in Junction City. This started a long association with the local Chevy dealership through a series of owners. When Mr. Humphrey died, it became Coover Chevrolet, then Don Coates Chevrolet and finally Jim Clark Chevrolet. Throughout these transitions, Manuel became business manager and won several awards for his excellent skills in handling all the tasks associated with accounting at the dealerships.
After he retired in 1984 he helped area non-profit groups with their accounting needs and he and Audrey enjoyed their time off by taking trips to England to visit her family and many other close relatives.
Manuel was a devout Catholic and member of St. Xavier's Parish. He was a Third Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 1029 where he held many officer positions, including Grand Knight. He also was a member of the Monsignor Bradley Fourth Degree Assembly 298 and participated in their local and state activities.
A voracious reader, he enjoyed nothing more than to sit in his chair and consume any magazine, newspaper or book that would land in his lap. He was particularly fond of murder mysteries, with books by Agatha Christie and Ellery Queen mystery magazines high on his list of favorites. In his earlier years he also enjoyed a good game of 8-ball on the pool table. He many times coached friends and foes alike on how to make the best shot. Throughout his life he was an avid sports enthusiast always rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Manuel is survived by Audrey, his devoted wife of 69 years; three children: daughter Gloria O'Blanc and son-in-law Alton of Jennings, La.; daughter Susan Filson and son-in-law Jerry of Phoenix, Az.; and son Philip Vega and daughter-in-law Jolene of Junction City, Ks. His grandchildren include, Angie Mancuso of Junction City, Ks.; Kevin Sherwin of Lake Arthur, La.; Byron Filson of Phoenix, Az., Nigel Filson of New York, N.Y.; and Paul Vega of Seattle, Wash.
Other immediate surviving family members include brothers John Vega and his wife Carol of Centennial, Colo.; Richard Vega and his wife Marie of Murray, Utah; Jim Vega and his wife Evelyn of Salt Lake City, Utah; and one sister Anita Perea of Salt Lake City, Utah. Manuel also is survived by five great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jesus and Bernadette; his sisters Irene Abeyta and Filipita Vega; brothers Isidore Vega and Louie Vega; granddaughter, Julia Vega, and infant daughter, Pamela Vega.
A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 203 N. Washington St. A Mass of Resurrection will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at St. Xavier's Catholic Church, 218 N. Washington St. Internment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Junction City.
Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
The family would like to sincerely thank Mr. Vega's dedicated caregivers for their kind and loving care – Mary Dupuis, Martha Cormier, Faithe Trahan, Francesca Green, Sissy Broussard and Sarah Monceaux; Drs. Patrick Griffith and James McNally and their staff; Dusty Fontenot with Jeff Davis Home Healthcare; Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care of Jennings, and Kevin Klein, Miguez Funeral Home, Jennings, for his kindness and professional assistance.
Memorial donations can be made to: St. Xavier's School Fund, 200 N. Washington St., Junction City, Ks. 66441
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Manuel J. Vega, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Johnson & Mass-Hinitt
Service
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
St. Xavier Catholic Church
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