Manuel L. Cazares, Jr.

Manuel Lara Cazares, Jr. was born in Houston, Texas to the Reverend Manuel Lara Cazares, Sr. and Susie Valerio Cazares on November 25, 1940.

Manuel was the youngest of twelve siblings. Being the youngest, he had one job to do, and that was to be the bed warmer for his father before he went to bed. He was honored and privileged to do that for his dad.

As Manuel grew up, he received his primary education through the  Texas Public School System.  He had many milestones in his youth.  He loved  music, and  mostly loved to sing with his family. One of his favorite songs was, “There’s A Sweet Spirit In This Place”.  At the age of 20, he joined a singing group, “The Emeralds”.  Manuel would light up and tell stories about his experiences with this group. In 1970, Manuel had become a professional painter and moved his family to Indianapolis, Indiana.  He worked with two older brothers and developed his skills in cabinetry and wall papering. 

While living in Indianapolis, Manuel attended Christ Temple COGIC. He was a member for many years. As years went by, Manuel began to seek a deeper  relationship with God. Therefore, he was led to relocate his family to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he joined Faith Temple Pentecostal Church under the leadership of Dr. Rosemary Redmond “Mama” Cosby.  Manuel and “Mama” had a relationship where he experienced the power and love of God like he never felt before. For many years,  Manuel was under the leadership of  “Mama” —he remodeled her office and made it into a condominium, so that she could rest during services and meeting with souls.  “Mama” told Manuel that he added years on to her life by building that condo.  Manuel loved God, and you could see his love through his works of beauty. 

In 1972, he opened his first business, “Utah Diversified”, specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Manuel had many gifts bestowed up him, and he was not selfish in sharing them.

In 1992, Manuel was working at the church and saw Jada and told his friend, “She is gonna be my wife”.  Jada moved to Salt Lake City, and she knew Manuel as “Bro. Manuel”, the jokester. Manuel was on a mission.  He courted Jada for 2 and 1/2 years, and finally asked her to be his wife. When you say courting: flowers, all night prayer, 5 o’clock prayer, church projects, and he courted in a Godly manner. He told Jada that she was the love of his life. Manuel and Jada were united in marriage on August 24, 1995. God has always been in this marriage. They prayed together, preached together and ministered together.    

Manuel Lara Cazares, Jr. departed this life peacefully, on January 22, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rebecca and Olivia; brothers, Benjamin, Paul, Barbabas, Daniel, Isiah, and Ezekiel, and daughter, Monica Lynn Cazares. 

He leaves to cherish precious memories his loving wife, Jada Renee Cazares; sons and daughters, Mark (Rosalind) Cazares, Manuel Cazeres, III, Mia L. Cazares, Kenyada (Ernest) Enoch, Gregg (Vicki) Bacon and Kevin Bacon; ten grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brothers, Joshua Cazares and john Henry Cazares; sisters, Elizabeth Hardy and Magdalene Coursey; a host of other family, including brother-in-law, Joe Eldridge; sister-in-law, Monica Hill, nieces and nephews. 

Manuel mentioned so many men and women-too many names to list, but you know who you are. Take comfort in being of those.   

Humbly Submitted                 The Family

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