This Is Where Our Journey Begins

Manuel Ramos Nabarrette

"Poo Bare"

This is the story of an extraordinary man—my father, Manuel Ramos Nabarrette.

From a very young age, Dad understood the value of hard work and family. As a boy, he shined shoes at local bars to earn money to help support his parents and siblings. He often talked about shining shoes at Tía Chole's bar, just down the street from where he grew up. He always said she was his favorite aunt.

He loved telling stories about the occasional fights that would break out in the bar. As a little boy, he would crawl underneath the tables and watch everything unfold. Those stories always made us laugh. He also spoke fondly of growing up on Magnolia Street, where he formed friendships that lasted throughout his entire life—friendships that I was fortunate enough to witness during my own lifetime.

At just 17 years old, Dad made the courageous decision to leave West Texas and join the United States Navy. It was a bold step for a young man, but it would shape the rest of his life.

He proudly served aboard three naval ships—the USS Kearsarge, USS Lexington, and USS Bennington—before joining a maritime patrol squadron flying the legendary P-2V Neptune aircraft. He was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska, and absolutely loved talking about those years.

One of his favorite stories was about sitting in the back of the P-2V for hours at a time, looking through a small observation window while tracking Russian submarines during the Cold War. He would describe watching fishing boats below and laughing about occasionally tossing small objects toward American fishing vessels just to get their attention.

He especially loved telling the story about dropping sonar buoys. His regular pilot would always shout, "Now! Now! Now!" and Dad would quickly drop three buoys only seconds apart.

One day he flew with a different crew. Their pilot counted much slower: "Now... ten seconds... now... ten seconds... now."

Dad didn't realize the difference. He was so accustomed to his regular pilot that he had already dropped all three sonar buoys before the new pilot had even finished giving his commands. His crew laughed and teased him endlessly about how many buoys he had "wasted" that day while hunting submarines. Every time Dad told that story, he laughed just as hard as everyone else.

Around the age of 22, Dad met the love of his life—my mother, Sulema. They married and began a journey together that lasted 62 beautiful years. Together they built a loving home and, eventually, welcomed one incredibly handsome son... me. (I know Dad would expect me to say that.)

Dad worked as a mechanic before beginning a long career at Rexene, later Huntsman Chemical Company. During those years he built lifelong friendships, including one with Larry Gatlin, long before the Gatlin Brothers became famous. Dad loved talking about the company picnics where Larry and his brothers would perform.

But what truly defined my father wasn't where he worked—it was how he treated people.

If someone needed help finding a job, Dad would do everything he could to help them get hired at the plant. If someone had nowhere to stay, many times he simply brought them home. Helping others wasn't something he occasionally did—it was simply who he was.

He was a wonderful provider, a devoted husband, an incredible father, and later became the world's greatest grandfather and great-grandfather.

Throughout his life, Dad continued to serve others. He became the Volunteer Chairman for the American Red Cross National Board, earned his certification as a scuba diving instructor, and developed friendships everywhere he went.

After retiring from Huntsman, he wasn't finished working. He accepted a position with a Pakistani engineering company that was responsible for constructing two refinery projects here in the United States that were later shipped overseas to Kuwait.

Eventually, Dad retired for good and moved in with my family. Those years became some of the most treasured memories of our lives.

He was always involved with my daughter, Karina. He faithfully attended her Taekwondo classes, helped her with homework every day, taught her math, practiced spelling words with her, and encouraged her reading.

The only mistake he ever made—depending on who you ask—was teaching her how to drive. (I'll let Karina tell that story.)

More than anything, my father was a loving husband. For 62 years he remained completely devoted to my mother. Their marriage became an example of love, commitment, sacrifice, and faithfulness that many people strive to achieve.

His life's journey touched countless people. He formed friendships that lasted a lifetime, helped people without expecting anything in return, and left this world far better than he found it.

Dad, thank you for every lesson you taught me, every sacrifice you made, every laugh we shared, and every example you set. Everything good that I am today began with you.

You were my hero long before I knew the names Superman or Batman.

You always will be.

We love you.

We will miss you.

And we will carry your legacy with us for the rest of our lives.