Stephen Leroy Manzanares
December 26, 1928 - February 20, 2024 Pomona, CA
Stephen Leroy Manzanares, 95, passed away at his home on February 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Stephen was born on December 26, 1928, to Joseph and Louise (Perez) Manzanares at the family home in Pomona, Ca.
Stephen attended Hamilton Elementary School and Fremont Jr. High School where he met many friends who he would keep throughout their lives. As a young boy he and his brothers worked in the family business, Joe Manzanares & Sons Cement Business, a trade which would help him throughout his career. At 17 Stephen enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training he went on to Ft. Benning Georgia where he trained for the 82nd Airborne. He was a member of the 504 P.I.R., known as the “Devils in Baggy Pants.”
Upon discharge from the service Stephen returned to his home in Pomona and married his sweetheart, Dora Martinez from Chino, Ca. They made their home in Pomona and raised 5 children only a few feet away from the Manzanares family home where Stephen was born. Stephen worked many different construction jobs at times traveling throughout the state wherever there was work but always returned for seasonal employment at the Los Angeles County Fair where he worked prior to entering the Army. Eventually he was hired by the fair association for a full-time position as a laborer with Laborers Union Local 806. Stephen was promoted to grounds foreman in 1972 and was the first person of color to hold a permanent supervisory position in the fair’s history. Stephen stayed at the LA County Fair until his retirement in 1992.
Stephen was a member of the Hispanic Airborne, the Am Vets Post 113, and the 82nd Airborne Association Ruben Tucker Chapter. Stephen volunteered many hours posting colors at dedications, ceremonies, and conventions throughout the country, including placing wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, taking part in the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and the 50th anniversary of the Airborne in Washington D.C. Of all the details that Stephen participated in, he took the most pride in serving as an Honor Guard to send the Veterans on their Final Journey, which he did for over 30 years.
Stephen was a strong, supportive, loving husband. When his wife Dora was diagnosed with dementia, he spent many hours sitting with her on their porch reminiscing about their life, trips, cruises, listening to music, and their love of dancing until she passed away in 2017 after 67 years of marriage. Stephen never got over losing her and made sure to offer her a piece of Hershey’s chocolate every night before bed even until his last night.
In the early 1970’s Stephen was asked to be a member of the committee to build Sharkie and Cherrieville Parks. Of course, he accepted because of his love for the youth in the community and the city. He spent many hours at meetings helping to get the award-winning parks approved. He also took part in organizing fiestas and fundraisers for the parks. Stephen was also the spokesperson for the community on an episode of the television series Chivo and Chavo which was filmed at Sharkie Park after its opening.
Stephen was proud of his heritage. He knew his family history and the history of Pomona and the surrounding areas. The Manzanares and Perez families were original inhabitants of the Los Angeles basin not only through their Indigenous roots but also through their Spanish and Mexican relations as well. Taking a ride with him through the streets was a favorite pastime because there would always be a history lesson involved. If you went back and checked the census you would see people lived right where he said they did. If you have never taken a ride through the L.A. County Fairgrounds with him, you don’t know the fair. Stephen was a true historian and a great legacy.
Stephen is survived by his son Arthur Manzanares of Pomona, his daughters, Dee Dee (David) Ybarra of Hesperia and Donna (James) Otero of Pomona. He also leaves behind fourteen grandchildren, forty-three great-grandchildren, eleven great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Stephen was preceded in death by his wife, Dora, sons Anthony and Stephen Manzanares, grandsons Vincent Otero, Tony Quiroga Jr., Arturo and Roberto Manzanares, his parents, his siblings, Mary Carrey, Gloria Alba, Hermie, Elias, Paul, Joe and Teney Manzanares. Just two days after Stephen left, his last sibling Ralph also took his journey to join the rest of the family.
A visitation will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Todd Memorial Chapel, 570 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, CA beginning at 5:00 P.M. with the holy rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1150 W. Holt, Pomona, CA on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. followed by graveside services at Holy Cross Cemetery, 444 E. Lexington St. Pomona, CA.