Raymond Mancha, age 95, passed peacefully into heaven, on July 3, 2026, just shy of his 96th birthday. He was born on July 11, 1930, in Houston, Texas.

He was raised in the East End of Houston, spending most of his time in the “barrio” known as Magnolia. It was there that he met the bride of his youth, his beloved, Rebecca. Their union would last 60 years, until 2008, when she preceded him in death.

In 1966, he moved his family to Manvel, Texas. The peace and tranquility afforded them on acreage was welcomed and cherished. The opportunity to grow a garden, have farm animals, enjoy a starlit evening and have family and friends over for a bar-b-que and a cold “Lone Star” created some everlasting memories.

At the early age of seventeen, he became a United States Merchant Marine and spent 36 years spanning the globe. His voyages and adventures covered all coasts of the United States, Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, Central and South America. With some harrowing experiences in the North Sea, he developed a great respect for its wicked waves and frigid temperatures. His tenure began at Lyke’s Bros., Steamship Company. His experience and outstanding work ethic afforded him the opportunity to ship for Sinclair, Texaco and Amoco Refineries. His latter years, prior to retirement, were spent with the Keystone Shipping Corporation of Pennsylvania, for local U.S. coastwise shipping.

A man of many talents, when not working as a Merchant Marine, he would continue supporting his family as a skilled carpenter and roofing specialist. Never one to shy away from work, it was not unusual to see him roofing a home, helping build a home, or simply helping someone remodel. He took great pride in mentoring his sons, his nephews and other young men, in a trade that is still used and needed today.

For many years, Raymond’s favorite hobby involved raising and breeding game chickens. He would nourish, prepare and train his roosters for battle, in states where it was legal to fight them. He was especially proud of sharing these experiences with his son, Johnny. Together, they trained and competed enough to secure a first-place trophy in Louisiana.

Raymond is survived by his sons, Santos (Adela) and Johnny (Brenda) Mancha, his daughters, Irene (Leroy) Villarreal, Elizabeth (Ruben) Martinez and Monica Charo, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. His half-siblings, Hope (Evaristo) Rodriguez, Gloria (Marcelo) Sauceda, Consuelo (Abraham) Mendez, Theresa (Jose) Armas, Ernest (Olga) Mancha.

He is preceded in death by his two brothers, Emilio Mancha, Jr., and Gabriel Mancha, his four sisters, Dolores Rojas, Irene Sanchez, Hermalinda Salazar (Carlos) and Nelda Delao.

Loved by many, admired by all, he will be deeply missed.

Raymond’s family would like to share their sincere thanks, love and gratitude to a close family friend, Tony Gonzales, for his care and devotion to our dad. To Dora Pinon, for her love and unrelenting healthcare of “Mr. Mancha”, we will never forget her self-sacrificing devotion, loyalty and kindness.