The Journey's End

On Sunday, July 24, 2016 at approximately 11:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) my Dad's life journey ended after 88 years. I was at his bedside along with my sister Joyce and my daughter Tabitha when he took his final breath. We took turns holding his hand, talking and singing to him. A few minutes earlier, my son-in-law, Kevin, and my granddaughter, Venice, were also with us. Venice insisted on giving “gramps” a final kiss. Dad fought for every breath of life until he let go, now a memory I will never forget.

The staff on duty at Pine Ridge Care Center came by to pay their respects, after giving us a few moments alone with Dad. Dad had been in their care for the past five years and had been affectionately known as “Daddy David.”

The Journey’s End will be my final blog posting. The Journey’s End is a visual history of my Dad’s 88 years of life.

The Early Years

David was Pablo and Francisca’s eldest son born on June 19, 1928. He had six siblings, Rachel Maldando (1929 – 2009), Paul Manriquez Jr. (1930 - ), Rebecca Cerna Callahan (1932 – 2014), Noemi DeHoyos (1936 - ), Joe Frank Manriquez (1940 - ), and Patricia Rodriguez (1946 – 1997).

The Army

Sgt. First Class, David Manriquez, serviced in the United States Army from October 2, 1950 to September 22, 1952.

His Marriage

David married Janet Canales Manriquez on December 28, 1952 and, while they divorced, they maintained a close relationship.

His Children

David and Janet had three children, "two boys and a girl." Jay, Bruce & Joyce

His Grandchildren

David Jay Manriquez, married Helen M. (Shelley) Faulkner Manriquez on April 12, 1972 and they have three children, Jason, Jeremy, and Tabitha.

Bruce Manriquez married Bonnie Cornell on September 8, 1979 and they have a daughter Marsena, and a second daughter, Stephanie, died in infancy.

Joyce Manriquez has one daughter, Taylor Jade Padilla.

His Great Grandchildren

David has six great-granddaughters, Kaschka and Lila Manriquez, Skye Hodson-Manriquez, Venice Manriquez Zabel, Seraiah and Ariel Storer. No photos are available with Dad and Lila, Skye, Seraiah and Ariel.

His Siblings

Happy times with his brothers and sisters.

My Dad

Tradition - "Steady, steady..."

His Work

His Game

His Family

Gatherings

Family Group Photos

Thank you for sharing in my Dad's life journey. I miss him. And now it is time to say good-bye.

June 19, 1928 - July 24, 2016