MSG Manuel Mize, Sr., United States Army, Ret.

Manuel Mize, Sr. was born December 28, 1934 in Jonesboro, La., and passed away February 10, 2013, at the age of 79, in Killeen, Texas.

Manuel entered the United States Army at the age of 16 and served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  His numerous military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart.  After retiring in 1971, he was a manager and maintenance supervisor for Farris Dairy Queen, retiring again in 2000.

Manuel was a member of Killeen Lodge 1125 in Killeen, the Waco Scottish Rite Bodies and Karem Shrine of Waco.

He was a member of the Killeen Racers and drove one of the go-carts in parades.



Manuel would do anything for anybody but loved most of all to ride his Harley trike with family and friends.




On February 14 the Patriot Guard Riders rode, in formation, from Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, south of Killeen.  Leading the formation was one of the Riders who was a neighbor and good friend of Manuel.  He rode Manuel's black Harley Trike, which is equipped with a bracket to hold Manuel's walker.  He also bore Manuel's cremains.

At the cemetery to watch the arriving procession of Patriot Guard Riders was Manuel's wife, family and friends.



Upon arriving at the cemetery, the cremains were placed onto the walker and wheeled toward the committal shelter.  The Army Honor Detail then carried the cremains and folded American flag into the shelter and placed them upon the table there.


The Patriot Guard Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter during the service.

A Captain of the Army Chaplain Corps read from Ecclesiastes 3, the passage about "a time for everything".  He led the family in final prayers.

The United States Army Honor Detail rendered full military honors.  The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.

The Army bugler played taps.

The detail of six soldiers marched down from the hillside to the shelter.  They carefully unfolded the American flag that had rested next to the cremains, and refolded it into the traditional triangle.  The flag was presented to a Non-Commissioned Officer, who, in turn, presented it to Manuel's dearly beloved wife of 33 years on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service.

Masons in attendance at the service, then performed the Masonic Funeral Service.

Manuel's wife, and family, took the cremains to the columbarium wall and placed them into a niche of the wall, to be sealed there for all of eternity.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Linda, their five children and spouses, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

With thanks to Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.