Born in Stratford on January 8, 1940, to Frank and Mary Luis, he was the youngest sibling of eight. He lived in Lemoore and attended Central Union, Lemoore Elementary, and graduating from Lemoore High School in 1958. He attended Coalinga College for a year then went to work for Red, Beck, and Parker until he decided to work as a mechanic for Burke & Stevens and B & E Ford in Lemoore.

After B & E Ford moved to Hanford, Manuel and Ken Jones opened Jones & Luis Auto & Body Repair in 1970. Going their separate ways, Manuel remained at the shop, renaming the business, Luis Auto Repair, and serving his loyal customers until his retirement in 2005.

Manuel married Doris Royer in September of 1961. They were blessed with a daughter Cheri, in 1963 and a son, Ron, in 1965. They were excited to see their dad become a fireman when he joined the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department in 1967. He devoted his service to the community for 32 years, spending the last five years as chief and retiring in 1999. He was proud to have his son, son-in-law, many nephews, and grandson-in-law follow his footsteps and join the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department. He was pleased when his grandson joined as a volunteer with Kings County Fire Department, Station 7.

Manuel was chosen Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1985 for his dedicated service to the community of Lemoore. He was also an avid football fan – loved his Tigers! He watched his grandson, Chris, and many nephews on the football field, his granddaughter Janette and many nieces play volleyball, and his granddaughters Bailey and Amy and many nieces play softball. He was inducted into the Lemoore High School Hall of Fame in 2000 for all his contributions to Lemoore High School and the community.

Manuel was a faithful and supporting parishioner in St. Peter's Church all his life. He was a true believer showing it by his loyalty, kindness, and love of God, family, and friends.Manuel was always extending a helping hand. He took pride in his Portuguese heritage by delivering soupas each year during the celebrations. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lemoore Trinity Association, LHS Foundation for Educational Excellence, and was an active member of the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce serving on the Downtown Revitalization Committee.

Manuel loved and adored his family. He welcomed his son-in-law Daniel Ospital, grandchildren Janette (married to Aaron Martin), and Christopher Ospital, Ron's daughters Bailey and Amy Luis. He was blessed with a great-grandson, Preston Martin. He also loved and respected his other family, the Royers.

Along with football, he loved going to Pismo Beach, woodworking, playing cards, and looked forward to hosting the annual Luis Family Easter gathering at their home and the family dinners on Sunday evenings.

Manuel is preceded in death by parents Frank and Mary Luis, five brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank (Celeste) Luis, Jesse (Alyce) Luis, Albert (Betty) Luis, Alvin Luis, and Sarefine (Mary Kay) Luis, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary (Albino) Silva and Rosie (Sam) Borges, cousin-in-law Manuel Cardoza, nieces Susan Yocum and Peggy Luis, nephews Joey Luis, Jesse Luis Jr., and Don Langdon, and great-nephews Robert Duncan, Tyler Trovao, and Arjuna Braeger.

He is survived by wife Doris Luis of 56 years, daughter Cheri (Dan) Ospital, son Ron Luis, grandchildren Janette (Aaron) Martin, Christopher Ospital, Bailey Luis, and Amy Luis, great-grandson Preston Martin, sister-in-law Dena Luis all of Lemoore, godchildren and cousin Cecelia Cardoza of Dos Palos, and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Dr. Ewing, his caregivers Gloria, Carly, Margaret, Amy, Mary, Heather, Celia, and Crystal, Respite Care, Hospice nurses, Fr. Hector, the Eucharist team from St. Peter's, and Alan Dale from Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 23 at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Lemoore. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, October 24 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church followed by burial at Lemoore Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Lemoore Trinity Association, P.O. Box 692, Lemoore, CA 93245, St. Peter's Catholic Church, 870 N. Lemoore Ave., Lemoore, CA 93245, Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department, 210 Fox St., Lemoore, CA 93245 or Lemoore High School Athletic Foundation, 101 E. Bush St., Lemoore, CA 93245.