Manuel A. Soto

Manny was called home to Heaven on September 4, 2023, at the age of 72 after a long and courageous battle with respiratory cancer. As a result of exposure to Agent Orange while in service to our Country during the Vietnam War.

Manny was born on January 8, 1951, in Jersey City, New Jersey to Jose Armando Soto and Catherine Martinez Soto. As a child Manny lived in New Jersey and New York. As the oldest sibling of two younger sisters. He graduated High School in 1969 from Sharon Springs Central High School.  At the tender age of 18 eager to serve his country Manny Immediately enlisted in the United States Air Force and honorably served in Vietnam and Thailand from 1969 to 1976 as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist.  After returning home from the war, he met the love of his life Jo Anne Payette and shortly after they started their family. Just after the birth of their son Jon they moved to Texas, settled in Houston, and call it home.

Greeting Manny at Heavens gates was his mother, Catherine Martinez Saverino, stepfather Luis Saverino, his father, Jose Armando Soto, Grandparents Santiago and Cleofe Martinez Caraballo, Aunts Justina Ortiz, Carmen Gary, Modesta Martinez and Uncle John Drummond. Deeply saddened by his passing are His loving wife of 47 years Jo Anne Payette Soto of Houston Tx. Sons Manuel Mark Soto of Vestal New York and Jonathan Manuel Soto of Conroe Tx., Daughter Jenn Schuler of Boston Massachusetts. Four Grandchildren Alexys, Santiago, Samuel and Jacob. He is also survived by his Aunt Maria Banchs of North Carolina, Uncles Benjamin Medina, and Eligio Medina in Dallas Texas, two sisters, Eliza Drummond of Esperance, New York and Yolanda Soto of Cobleskill, New York. Manny is also survived by many other family members and loved ones.

Manny had many friends. He was very talented and served as a mentor to many of his friends and friends’ children. He always had time for all of them and taught them, hands on, how to repair a large variety of mechanical items such as cars, motorcycles, boats, HVAC air conditioning along with computers, carpentry, construction and so on. With his great sense of humor and teasing, he always got his point across. Most all his friends’ family as well as acquaintances have fond memories of him and their time together. 

Manny had the pleasure of being a Triumph and a Harley rider and had many friends in the biker community. He was always ready to help his brothers and friends he is well respected, and his biker’s bond is strong. He will be greatly missed by them.

Today we are saddened as we let go of Manny as we knew him here on Earth. We are also comforted to know he is at peace & comfort in Heaven’s paradise with our Lord Jesus. Also, when our time comes, we will be reunited once again for eternity. Until we meet again, we will treasure our many fond memories with much love and respect.

Services will be on Thursday, September 28, 2023 in the Chapel of Beresford Funeral Service.  Visitation starts at 10 AM and the funeral will be at 11 AM.  Committal Service will follow at 1:15 PM at Houston National Cemtery (10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038).

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