Manuel "Manny" Madrigal

Manuel Raul Madrigal, Jr., 78, of Midland, Texas, passed away on January 30, 2021, in Odessa, Texas.

Manuel “Manny” Madrigal was born in Wilmington, California to Manuel and Basilisa Madrigal on September 29, 1942. He attended elementary, junior, and high school in Wilmington, California. Manny graduated with a bachelor's degree from California State College of Long Beach and a master's in business administration from Harvard University.

Manny began working as a social worker committed to helping youth in his community in Wilmington, California. After graduating from California State College of Long Beach, his leadership grew as he developed his skills as a grant writer and aided a multitude of community organizations throughout California. During this time, Manny was recruited by Harvard University to attend the business school and graduated with second-year honors. Following graduation, Manny along with his long-standing business partner, Chuck Delgado formed an IT consulting firm located in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. which provided IT and business services for government contracts all through the country. For over 50 years, Manny was devoted to his community at the local, state, and national levels.  He financially supported numerous political campaigns and grassroots organizations throughout the country, as well as, contributing his time to organizing and getting out the vote.

Although Manny was an accomplished athlete, scholar, and businessman, his greatest love was his son, family, and friends. He was endlessly proud of his son and treasured their talks and time together. He was known for his interesting and uplifting stories about the barrio, sports, politics, business, love, life, family, friends, and all his adventures. He adored his brother and sisters, all his nephews, nieces, compadres, and Godchildren. He loved his hometown church, Holy Family in Wilmington, California, and his beloved Our Lady of Guadalupe church and all its parishioners. He often said, “The shrine at Our Lady of Guadalupe provided a special place to pray.”

He is preceded in death by Manuel and Basilisa Madrigal, Alicia Madrigal, Anita Lopatinsky, and Gloria Madrigal.

He is survived by his wife, Lydia Evaro Madrigal; his son, Manuel David Madrigal (Corky), Ramon and Marina Madrigal, and his beloved “Izzy.”  He was a loving stepfather to Anthony Torres, John and Monika Butler, Remi Torres, and a wonderful Lito to Ellie and Evie Torres.

Pallbearers will be Ramon Madrigal, Corky Madrigal, Chito Villamontes, Roy Evaro, Rod Evaro, and Chris Evaro.

On his 70th birthday, Manny shared words to live by. He said, “My father taught me, life has good and bad moments. It’s not about getting knocked down, it’s about what you do afterward. You have to pick yourself up and get up and do something. Make something of yourself.”

Funeral Services will be private.  Memorials may be given to the Family Center of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and Shrine, 1401 Garden Lane, Midland, TX 79701.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Medical Center Hospital, Encompass, and Madison.