Manuel Pacheco Jr.

Manuel Pacheco Jr, 80, of Amarillo, TX, passed away on November 21st, 2025.

A Rosary and viewing will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, November 25th at Cox Rowley Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, November 26th, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Gabriel Garcia officiating. Burial will follow at St Anthony’s Cemetery in Hereford, TX.

Manuel was born to Manuel Sr and Rafelita Pacheco on December 6th, 1944, in Tramontina, NM. He grew up in Hereford, TX, and graduated from Hereford High School in 1964. He joined the Texas National Guard and served from 1964 until 1971.

He married the former Nancy Lopez on March 31st, 1968. Together they had one son, Jerry. They moved to Amarillo in 1982 where he resided until his death. He was a member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Manuel’s greatest joy was his four grandchildren–Alexa, Nicholas, Holly, and Jackson, plus his three great grandsons–Mark, Gideon, and Ezra. He was the best “Grampy” that they could ever ask for. He took his family on many trips throughout the years, the most favorite being the road trips to Austin to watch his beloved Texas Longhorns football. Those times were filled with adventure, laughter, and lots of love!

Manuel had a passion for drag racing and spent many decades on the drag strip. He started out racing a Chevy II Station Wagon that he inherited from his father. Later he moved on to a ‘67 Chevy Camaro, and ended his drag racing career driving a ‘63 Corvette Split Window Coupe custom built by his good friend Donny Adkins. His dragsters were painted Burnt Orange, his favorite color, and an homage to his passion for Texas Longhorns football.

Both drag racing and UT football ran through his veins and a passion that he shared with his siblings and many great friends that he made over the years.

Manuel was preceded in death by his parents and his sister in law, Melody Pacheco.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, his son, Jerry, and his wife, Velinda; his four grandchildren, Alexa Dolezal and husband Josh; Nicholas Pacheco; Holly Bryan and husband Daniel; and Jackson Pacheco; and great grandsons, Mark Dolezal, and Gideon and Ezra Bryan.

Also his brothers, George Pacheco, Carlos Pacheco and wife Mary Ann; his sisters, Mary Puente and husband Juan, and Nancy Pena and husband Andy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.