Julius C. Manrique died peacefully after a bout with Covid pneumonia at Doctors Hospital in Modesto on December 10, 2023 while comforted by family members by his side. He was 91 years old.
He was born and raised in Oakdale and later married the love of his life, Barbara Pinkham, born Ontario, Canada, in Toronto during July of 1963, then moved to Modesto where he lived the rest of his life.
Two years after graduating from Oakdale High School, he graduated from Modesto Junior College (A.A.) then San Jose State University (B.A., M.A.). Julius started his 40-year career in education as a substitute teacher at Oakdale High School. He then began a full-time eighth grade Social Studies teaching position in the same classroom where his former teacher, Miss Ditto had once taught him. He spent eight years teaching at Oakdale High School then moved to the Modesto City School District where he began teaching at both Mark Twain Junior High and Roosevelt Junior High, then he became a principal at Tuolumne before taking a leave of absence under a Ford Foundation Grant to earn a Doctorate in Education at the University of Pacific. He then worked for over 25 years as an administrator for Modesto Junior College before retiring in 1997. During these many years as an educator, he earned Elementary, Junior High, General Secondary, General Administrative, Community College Administrative and Community Student Personnel Credentials. He was also a chartered member of Association of California Administrators and Association of California Community College Administrators.
He was active with community and educational organizations. He was a member of the Stanislaus Grand Jury, Human Rights Commission, Land Mark Preservation Commission, McHenry Museum Board (as well as, on the board to fund restoration of the basement), taught Drivers Education for A.A.R.P., and did income tax for Seniors for many years. Educationally, he was President of the Modesto Field Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa and a Life Member of that organization. As an alumnus of University of the Pacific, he was member of a fundraising committee and Chairman of the Education Alumni Committee. For his effort and time in those endeavors, he was awarded The Alumni Fellow Award and The Alumnus of the Year for UOP’s School of Education.
He was a Boy Scout who achieved Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow and Woodbadge awards, as well as, a Silver Beaver award. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 43 for six years and during that time provided opportunity for young men to receive their Eagle Scout award. As scoutmaster, over 20 young men in his troop received their Eagle Badge and at one Court of Honor 11 boys were awarded the badge. He took boys to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and 16 boys to the world Jamboree in Colorado Springs in 1960. He later became Advancement Chairman for the Yosemite Area Council and promoted the award council wide. At one dinner held at Castle Air Force Base to honor 50 Eagle Scouts and sponsors, Julius, as Master of Ceremonies, introduced actor Jimmy Stewart, the main speaker at the event. He later became member of the board and retired from active scouting, but remained a scouter the rest of his life.
Julius had many hobbies including reading, playing the guitar and singing. He and his wife enjoyed classical music, the Modesto Symphony, Townsend Opera Players, plays at the Sierra Repertory, Geary Theater in San Francisco and activities at the Gallo Art Center. He played the ukulele with a small group every Wednesday morning, played bridge with a group of retired men every Monday morning and served as Secretary, Little Sir, Big Sir and Area Governor for Sons in Retirement where he was an Honorary Life Member. He was also a member of Native Sons of the Golden West. He made art using wine corks and cared for his 13 fruit trees - three varietals of tangerines, two types of peaches, two types of grapefruit, several orange trees and four types of grapes. None of this fruit would spoil since he would give fruit to neighbors while donating the bulk to Interfaith Ministries, Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army.
He and his wife travelled across Canada and throughout the United States a half a dozen times visiting most provinces and almost 36 states. They also traveled to England, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Central America, Jamaica, Island of St. John, Panama Canal, Brazil and Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Julius was a life-long Democrat, a chartered member of the Central Valley Democratic Club and member of the Central Democratic Committee of Stanislaus County.
He was predeceased by his parents Serapio and Mary (nee Hopkins) Manrique, brothers Primo, Vincent, Lawrence, Joe, Arthur, Raymond, Richard, Edward and Joseph and sisters, Dolores, Jenny, Linda and Madeline.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara (nee Pinkham) Manrique of Modesto; his daughters Anne Manrique of Los Angeles and Lynne Manrique (Roger) of Washington, DC; grandson, Raymond of Washington, DC; his brother Tony Manrique of Stockton; his sister Alice Garcia of Oakdale and over 30 nieces and nephews in California and Ontario, Canada.
As per wishes of the deceased, there will be no services. Private interment at Oakdale Citizens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations to assist future students at the College or University level can be made to Julius C. Manrique, Ed. D. endowed scholarships:
"Dr. Julius C. Manrique Scholarship", Oakdale High School, Oakdale, CA
Mailed donations can be sent to:
OJUSD
ATTN: Scholarships
168 S. Third Avenue, Oakdale, California 95361
Check made out to: OJUSD
Memo: "Dr. Julius C. Manrique Scholarship"
"Mary and Serapio Manrique Scholarship," California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, CA
Mailed donations can be sent to:
California State University Stanislaus, Scholarship Development, 801 West Monte Vista Avenue, Turlock, California 95382
Memo: "Mary and Serapio Manrique Scholarship"
"Pinkham Family Scholarship" (0560006952), Victoria College, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mailed donations can be sent to:
Victoria University
Alumni Affairs & Advancement
150 Charles Street West, 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON M5S 1K9 CANADA
Memo: "Pinkham Family Scholarship"
Online donations can be made in the following way:
Visit:
uoft.me/givetovic
Under "Designations":
$_XX_: "Other (in memory or tribute) please specify below:"
If designated "Other" please specify: The Pinkham Family Scholarship
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Dec. 20, 2023
