Melvin Curtis Manuel, Jr. Melvin Curtis Manuel, Jr. was born on March 5, 1951 to Retha and Melvin Manuel, Sr.

He received his early education in the Dallas Independent School District where he attended James Madison High School. At Madison, Melvin excelled in the classroom, on the football field, and in student class leadership. The partnership of Melvin and Nancy was evident as early as their high school days. In 1970, Melvin was the class president and Nancy was the class vice president.

His secondary school academic achievements gained him entrance to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California where as a dedicated student he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

After graduation from Stanford, Melvin joined the U.S. Air Force and honorably served his country for the next three years stationed in the Washington D.C. area.

With school and the military behind him, Melvin ventured out into the world and traveled. Those travels took him to Africa, and different parts of Europe. He eventually settled back in Portland, Oregon. His years in Oregon gave him the opportunity to do what he loved - fishing! He fished from the West coast of Oregon to the rivers in the mountains and, everything in between. He often donated his catch to homeless shelters in Portland, "...just because."

Melvin lived happily in Oregon for many years - however, family brought him back to Texas periodically. He came to Dallas in 1999 to help care for his mother who sadly, passed away in September of that year. His father passed soon after in February of 2000.

Melvin returned to Dallas in 2012 to bury his brother Alfred and since remained in Dallas. Melvin leaves to honor his memory his spouse Nancy Walker Henderson; his stepdaughter Makeara Henderson Boucaud; her husband Jean-Paul Boucaud; his grandson Sebastian Boucaud; and his brothers-in-law Norman Walker and Carl Walker.

He will be deeply missed, and his spirit will live with us forever.