Manuel Reyes was born June 19, 1949 in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico to Altagracia Reyes, and died at his home in Portales, NM on the evening of Aug. 12, 2023. Mr. Reyes made his home in Mexico where he was a farm worker until 1975. At that time he immigrated to the United States, and made his home in Turkey, TX. He continued to work on area farms until 1982 when he and his family moved to Johnson, KS. While living in Kansas, he was employed at a feed yard. In 1991, he moved to Alamogordo, NM for a short time before returning to Mexico to make his home. In 2010, he returned to the Unites States, and settled in Portales, NM. For the past several years, he had been in declining health, and unable to do strenuous work, but he busied himself doing small odd jobs. One source of income for him was the sale of the small items he created from wood, such as crosses, windmills, fruit bowls, water fountains, and napkin holders. He also sold yard statuary for a commission. When he was in good health, he enjoyed playing on a baseball team as the catcher.
He is survived by his former wife, Martha Valdez of Johnson, KS; two daughters and sons-in-law, Manuel Reyes, Jr. and his wife, Susie of Manter, KS and Armando and Irene Reyes of Johnson, KS; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lorenza and Michael Olivas of Johnson, KS and Martha and Victor Colorado of Portales; and nine grandchildren.
No formal services are planned.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Manuel Reyes, please visit our floral store.
