Manuel Renteria

Biography Manuel Renteria, 68, formerly of Duncan, passed away at the Hospice Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was born April 27, 1942 in Deming, New Mexico to Anita and Ambrosio Renteria. Manuel attended Duncan Schools till 1961. During his early high school years he worked at the Art Gallery Drugstore. At that time Manuel was given private lessons from the great painter, Mr. Hal Empie. Manuel excelled in oil painting winning many awards for his artwork. Also he excelled in sports while in high school. He was a halfback in football. He was admired by all his teammates and was voted most valuable player in 1961. He was featured in the Arizona Republic, and was named the Painting Halfback, because of his artistic ability. That year Duncan won the B-!East Conference. He was a very accomplished basketball player. Manuel shot a total of 364 points for the season. He was a pitcher in baseball and lettered all three years in every sport. He ran the 440 Dash in track. He was the lone representative in the state track meet at the University of Arizona; He placed second, but held the record for Duncan at 56.0 seconds for many years. He loved sports and was a great mentor for his sons and nieces when they entered sports. At the end of the school year in 1961 he transferred to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Years later he graduated from EAC in Thatcher. Manuel also loved fishing and hunting. He had an amazing sense of humor and could find something funny in any situation. He was loved by all his family. He had 7 children, 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, and nephews. He will be greatly missed and will be remembered as loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and brother. He is survived by his sons, Manuel Jr. (Manuela), and Thomas of Las Cruces, Patrick (Cara) of Seattle Washington and Matthew Ohio. Also his daughters, Christina, of Mesa, Michele (Henry) of Albuquerque, and Adelina of Las Cruces. He has four brothers, Jess, Julian, Carlos and Gilbert, and four sisters, Irene, Mona, Erlinda and Lupe. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and a brother Frank. Vigil and Rosary will be held Friday, May 7, 2010 beging at 6 p.m. in the St. Mary's Church in Duncan. Mass of Christian Burial will be celbrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery.