OBITUARY Manuel “Sonny” Castro Jr. September 10, 1932 – November 23, 2018 Manuel Castro Jr, Born September 10, 1932 in Austin, Texas has joined God and his angels. Manuel, known to most as Sonny, passed away on Friday November 23rd at the age of 86 years old. Sonny, a native Austinite attended Palm Elementary, Allen Junior High, Austin High School and Nixon Clay Business College.
It was at Allen Junior High where Sonny met the love of his life, Lela. The couple married at Cristo Rey Catholic Church January 17, 1954. After becoming wed, Sonny and Lela had two beautiful children, Russell and Kathleen.
In 1951, Sonny enlisted into the United States Air Force. During his military career, Sonny and Lela were stationed in various stateside assignments, but most memorable were their experiences in Hawaii, Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It was in the Philippines Sonny and Lela developed a special bond with other military families at Clark Air Force Base.
It’s this group that formed the Philippine Connection, a commitment that no matter where life took them, they’d convene together once a year. This commitment continues to this day and has extended to multiple generations. Sonny retired from the Air Force in 1971, then began his career with the US Postal Service of which he retired in 1999.
Sonny had many interests. He was an active member of St. Catherine’s of Siena Catholic Parish. In addition, he belonged to the Knights of Columbus, dedicated to providing charity services to those in need.
In 1972, Sonny and Lela purchased their Lake House on Lake Travis where they spent most every free moment with their family and friends. Sonny and Lela also loved attending the University of Texas Longhorn football games. Sonny spent many of his Saturdays surrounded by family and friends tailgating and rooting on the Texas Longhorns.
And true to his East Austin roots, you’d often find him breaking bread with family and friends at his East Austin favorite, Joe’s Bakery. Sonny was a man of great nobility, honor, and humility and was often recognized for his unconditional love for his family. He held a great pride in the unity that his family represented.
He was a jokester, a story teller, and most of all a cheer-leader. He loved to watch the questioning faces of his grandkids when he insisted he was once a wagon master crossing the wide Missouri eating frog soup to survive. He had a special nickname or quip for each grandchild and great-grandchild that he’d say with a sparkle in his eye.
He was an enormous advocate for higher-education and celebrated the successes of all his children and grandchildren as if they were his own. The pride for all their accomplishments was palpable. Sonny was preceded in death by his Mother Elida Castro, his Father Manuel J. Castro and his sister Henrietta Gourley.
He is survived by his wife Lela Castro, his son Russell Castro and his wife Juli Castro, his daughter Kathleen Hilbert and her husband Reyburn Hilbert, his grandchildren Jennifer Erickson and her husband Dirk Erickson, Meredith Castro-Egwuatu and her husband ND Eqwuatu, Shelby Hilbert and Parker Hilbert and his four great grandchildren Adalyn Erickson, Garrett Erickson, Annalise Egwuatu, and Alexander Egwuatu. He is also survived by his brother Ezekiel Castro. Sonny will be missed by his family for all the love he shared with all.
A visitation and rosary will be held at Cook -Walden Funeral Home 6100 North Lamar Blvd, Austin Texas on Thursday, November 29th at 5:00- 8:00 PM, with Recitation of Holy Rosary at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe 1206 E. 9th Street on Friday, November 30th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.
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