Manuel Acuna

On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Manuel Acuña departed this mortal coil and moved on to his great reward. 

A man of two birthdays, Manuel was officially born in Merkel, Texas on November 17, 1940, to Pascual and Adela Acuña. Unofficially, his second birthday was December 17^th. He did, indeed, expect two cakes every year.

He was a lover of the classics – music, cars, art, and literature. He wanted to go to space and be among the stars - a traveler bound to Earth. He was a fan of Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, and Alice in Chains. He believed Fitzgerald was better than Hemingway, but not as good as Dylan – Bob, not Thomas. He was also a purveyor of intellect and books; believing the written word was humankinds’ greatest achievement. A man of sharp wit and even sharper sharpshooter skills, he decided to take both with him into the jungles of Vietnam. No matter the firearm, handgun or howitzer, he rarely missed. And upon his return home, he feared nothing because he had “already seen hell.” 

Manuel was a mechanic (specialist) for over 30 years and the only man who would dare fix a Ferrari Testarossa with a piece of wire hanger; a man who would drive his 1971 Monte Carlo over 100mph on I-20, on Christmas Eve, to get his daughter home in time to get to bed because Santa was making his way to Texas. 

Manuel married his great love, and the woman “with the best legs ever”, Mary, on September 30, 1961. Through thick and thin, and the Great Mashed Potato Debate of 2017, they thrived for almost 62 years before her death in June 2023.

Manuel is survived by his daughter Susan Acuña of Abilene. He is also survived by his sisters Felipa Martinez of Abilene, Patsy Byrd of Rochester, Julia Leal of San Antonia, and brothers Si Acuña, and David Acuña of Abilene, as well as his nieces and nephews. 

Manuel was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Acuña, parents, Pascual and Adela Acuña of Trent, and his sister Lupe Adames of Sweetwater. 

We are all stardust, and you are now among the stars, dad. 

Funeral services and Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Chapel at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. Burial will follow at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road