Roll Call Tribute

Gerald Riley Macmanus

October 16, 1928 - May 16, 2022

Gerald Riley Macmanus passed to his heavenly reward on Monday, May 16, 2022. Normally called Jerry - or Mac to those who knew him well - he was born in Brownsville, Texas to Francis Edward and Katie Riley Macmanus on October 16, 1928. He attended St. Joseph's Academy in Brownsville and, after moving to Raymondville with his family as a youngster, graduated from Raymondville High School. After graduating from Texas A&M College in 1949 with a degree in animal science, Jerry returned to Raymondville to work with his father and brother in the meat production business, as well as to farm.

In 1952, he married Caroline Ann Schuckenbrock and began a long productive life together, eventually having ten children. Jerry's career began working for the Soil Conservation Service assisting farmers with leveling land and installing proper irrigation structures with the idea of conserving water and making better crops. He then moved over to Central Power and Light Company as a farm consultant advising on the use of electric power used in dairies, poultry operations, water wells, and a variety of electrical farming products. Jerry enjoyed teaching young people about farm electricity. After several years he took a position with Tide Products Inc., assisting farmers to increase crop yields with agricultural chemicals. He then added Asgrow Seed Co. to his career consulting with farmers and selling seed to those farmers all across the Valley and in the border towns. Jerry worked for Asgrow until his retirement at the age of seventy-two.

Throughout his lifetime, Jerry volunteered with 4-H clubs and Future Farmers of America chapters all over the Rio Grande Valley. He founded the Har-Tex 4-H Club based in Harlingen. His 4-H members won many awards throughout the years at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, as well as the 4-H State Round-up. Jerry was also the traffic and security director for the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show for forty-six years. Additionally, he put in many years with the Harlingen Beef Club -a group that supported FFA and 4-H member projects- serving as the president, secretary/treasurer for many years. He assisted in hundreds of barbeques, chili suppers, and fundraising projects.

During these same years, Jerry proudly enjoyed serving in the Texas National Guard, the United States Army, and the United States Army Reserve with thirty-two total years of service, retiring as a Colonel. Jerry admired all military veterans of any branch and volunteered at the visitor center at the Marine Military Academy Iwo Jima Monument.

He thoroughly enjoyed his many years working in the agricultural world, supporting and educating young people, and serving with the military.

Jerry was active in St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Raymondville and St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Harlingen. He was the organist in Raymondville for many years and played the piano for the church choir in Harlingen for several years.

More than all of his work, all of his volunteering and all of his service to this country - Jerry, Daddy, Grandpa, Whichever, as he would sign his letters - thoroughly enjoyed his large family gatherings, like family reunions and Macmanus Christmases. Jerry and his wife Caroline were named "Parents of the Year" at Texas A&M University in 1996. Seven of their nine children graduated from Texas A&M University and four of the spouses did as well. Presently nine of their grandchildren have graduated from Texas A&M with more coming down the road.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-eight years, Caroline Ann Schuckenbrock Macmanus, his son Gerald Justin Macmanus, his parents F. E. & Katie Macmanus, his brothers Patrick Macmanus and Mike Macmanus, his sister Betty Macmanus Doyle and his wife's parents Anthony & Marie Schuckenbrock.

Jerry is survived by nine of his children: Kelly Macmanus & Suzanne (Ashley), Riley Macmanus & Carole (Bauer), Timothy Macmanus & Patti (Cloud), Deborah Macmanus Campion, Tracy Macmanus Campbell & Curt, Patricia Macmanus, Brian Macmanus & Nancy (Gasper), Mary Macmanus Schulze & Scott, and Paul Macmanus & Tera (Prescher).

His twenty-three grandchildren: Stephanie Macmanus Bullion (Randy), Jerad Macmanus (Bethany), Alicia Macmanus, Amanda Macmanus Forrest (Ben), Leslie Macmanus Mai (Long), Zach Harvey (Kristi), Katy Marie Campion, Marie Campbell Meier (Travis), Sarah Campion Macanliss (Stuart), Christine Campbell Cmajdalka (Andrew), Caitlin Macmanus Fritts (Thomas), Mark Macmanus, Justin Macmanus (Meghan), Alec Macmanus, Laura Macmanus, Caroline Schulze, Blaine Macmanus, Cade Macmanus, Gretchen Schulze, Julia Macmanus, Darcy Macmanus, Naomi Macmanus, and Seth Macmanus.

His ten great-grandchildren: Brianna & Michael Bullion, Evan Mai, Bayley & Weston Macmanus, Preston & Emily Harvey, Rose Meier, Harper & Hadley Cmajdalka.

He is also survived by: his brother's wife Tena Macmanus and her son Cory; his nephew Bo Macmanus and wife Elena; numerous other nieces and nephews as well as many good friends and former soldiers.

A special thank you to the caregivers from Harlingen Companion Sitter Service - Francis Hernandez, Maria Villa and Tracy Cuba. These ladies provided countless hours of love and devotion to Jerry and will not be forgotten by the Macmanus Family.

Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, May 22nd at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM on Monday, May 23rd at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Lyford, Texas followed by burial at Heavenly Grace Cemetery. Donations may be made in Jerry's memory to the Marine Military Academy Museum Building Fund by sending a check to Marine Military Academy, Attn: Ester Reyes 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. Harlingen, TX 78550. Services are under the direction of Heavenly Grace Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Rd., La Feria, TX.