Reno - Jose Manuel Barba passed away on February 16, 2018 peacefully in his home. Jose, or Manny as most affectionately called him, was born in Clifton, Arizona on January 27, 1927 to Maria Perez and Isidro Barba. He was raised in El Paso, Texas with 10 siblings. Manny enlisted in the Armed Forces in 1944. His assignment to Army paratrooper training was thwarted by a broken leg he suffered while in basic training. By the time he recovered, the war had ended so he was deployed as a machinist as part of the Occupation Forces in Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1947. In 1948, he married Beatrice Lopez and they had six children who were raised in Los Angeles, CA. He enjoyed multiple careers including furniture company executive, restaurant owner and retired as a United States Postal Carrier. Manny was very active with gardening and wood working in later years. He also took up ballroom dancing and made many friends on the social dance circuit. Manny also was proud to be a part of the Honor Flight of Nevada and supported Veterans' causes. Most who knew Manny would say he was a funny, gregarious man who could light up a room. He made friends wherever he went and will be missed. Manny was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Beatrice and is survived by his children Terri, Margarita, Rick, Jorge, Carlos and Lisa. He had 14 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother and sister, Luis and Cecilia Barba. A memorial service will be on March 10 at 12:30 pm at Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Honor Flight Nevada PO Box 21123 Reno NV 89515 or Casa de Vida 1290 Mill Street Reno, NV 89502.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on Mar. 10, 2018