James Donald (JD) Manuel Jr's final resting place

My son...My only son...My JD... My Bubba... left this earthly place today to go Walk among the angels and begin his journey watching over us. I can't feel anything. I'm numb. My heart hurts so much I can't stand it. I'm lost. I can't begin to tell you how much I love him. He was my world for the last 24years. I had to leave him at the hospital today and go home without him, that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I have been assured that I will get to lay my eyes on him again tomorrow..at the funeral home. Now that might be the hardest thing I will ever have to do.

To my JD... I love you Bubba to the heavens and back. I miss you so much already. I don't know what to do without you. Today you got to walk and talk and to be free to move and do exactly what you want to do. I am so happy for you. I hate that I can't be there with you right now. Seems so unfair. But I know you are watching us right now and telling us to stop crying and start laughing. We've done enough crying for 2 lifetimes. You are the greatest man I have ever known. I hope to possess half of your bravery and courage in these up coming days without you. It's not suppose to be this way. I'm not suppose to bury my only son.
Today as we sat in the ER, thru all the tears, I watched you walk thru heaven, SMA free, up to a group of men sitting in a circle of lawnchairs. You pulled up a chair and sat next to your grandpa Manuel. He's been waiting to see you again. You are just as tall as he is. You stuck your hand out and shook the hands of both your great grandfathers, Papa Quebe & Grandpa Spain. Your uncle Charles and uncle Johnny and uncle Jim and uncle Mike got up to shake your hand and your cousins Danny & Quinton handed you an ice cold beer. You guys sat around and laughed at all of us still here on earth. I would give anything to be there with you all. Give Nanny, grandma Spain, aunt Loretta, aunt Jean and cousin Sabrina a big hug from all of us. ♥️Missing all of you so much!♥️
I am so proud of you JD.
I love you! I miss you! I will forever miss you! This life was tough on you but you were so much more tougher. I will see you soon son! Tell RukaRoo I love her. ♥️♥️
James Donald Manuel Jr.
08/11/95-10/08/19
forever 24 years old and now SMA free


Mr. James Donald “JD” Manuel, Jr. passed from this life Tuesday morning, October 8, 2019, in Webster.

Born August 11, 1995 in Galveston, Texas, Mr. Manuel had been a resident of Hitchcock since 2008 previously of La Marque. He had attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, was a lifetime SMA advocate/teacher and the biggest "shark week" geek. JD (Bubba) loved the outdoors, camping, animals, traveling and was a Houston Texans fan for life who got to meet his hero JJ Watt. JD lived with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) all his life but never let it run his life. He defied the odds his entire life and taught us all how to love, live and dance in the rain. Life was never waiting for the storm to pass it was always about learning how to dance thru the rain. Such an adventurous soul.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Sonny Manuel.

Survivors include his mother & step-dad, Rhonda Spain and Randy Jones; father, James Donald Manuel, Sr.; sister, Magdalena Manuel of Santa Fe; grandparents, Joan and A.V. Spain, Jr. of Santa Fe, Pat and Tony Jones of Texas City, Maggie Manuel of La Marque; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2019, with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., in the chapel of Hayes Funeral Home, 10412 Highway 6, Hitchcock, TX (409) [phone redacted], with Deacon Alvin Lovelady officiating.

Memorials in the form of donations may be made in James’s name to www.ChiveCharities.org  98 San Jacinto, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78701. Read more of JD's story at  https://www.chivecharities.org/story/jd

The family request that everyone wear blue to the service in memory of JD. 

*Donations to JD's services can be paid directly to Hayes Funeral Home
https://www.hayesfuneralhome.com/notices/James-ManuelJr



Unfortunately, I have come here once again to bear my soul and lay all the cards out on the table for my son JD. His passing is devastating for me. He has been my entire life for the last 24 years. We are #TeamJD! I am not prepared to bury my only son, but that time has come. I'm pleading once again for your help one final time for my JD to have his final resting memorial services. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Forever #TeamJD


JD's Mommy
Rhonda Spain