Manuel Acosta

Manuel Acosta, 88, of Gatesville went to be with the Lord and his loving wife on Monday, August 25, 2025, peacefully surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 20, at 11:00 a.m. at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville with Deacon Beltran officiating.

Manuel was born October 17, 1936, to Roberto Acosta Juarez and Guadalupe Alvarado in Manuel Benavides Ojinaga Chihuahua, Mexico. Losing his mother at the young age of 8 years old, molded him into the family man he was always destined to be. Life was extremely harsh, but that never wavered his faith and his desires to dream and to dream big. He was raised by aunts and uncles on the ranch taking care of livestock alongside his brothers. When Manuel was a teenager, he met the love of his life at first sight, Agustina Acosta. He would write letters and notes to her, secretly give them to her cousin so that her Father wouldn’t find out, and would wait for a response. Sometimes it would be days, other times weeks but she would always respond. They became one and married on August 22, 1959, in El Pueblito, Chihuahua. They lived in Los Juncos, Chihuahua and later moved to La Madera, one of two ranches he would eventually own. They made their home at El Mulato where they welcomed five children. As Agustina was a homemaker in Mexico, Manuel traveled to Pecos County and worked on the famous KC Ranch.

While working at the KC Ranch and traveling to Ft. Stockton on the weekends, he met LV Arnett who needed a ranch hand at his ranch in Central Texas, also known as Arnett. It was shared with us that it was also known as Sweet Home Community. Manuel worked on the Arnett properties both farming and ranching and handling everyday needs with the upmost care and responsibility. Then in 1979, Manuel and Agustina decided to follow their dreams, and led by their Faith in God, and the desire for a better life for their children and generations to come, they loaded up in the truck with solely the clothes they were wearing on July 4, 1979, to follow the American Dream.

Manuel continued to work for LV and Georgia Arnett for many years. The memories made on this farm will be something that stay with us forever. Both Manuel and Agustina would dote on the big hearts and kindness the Arnett’s had for the Acosta Family. Many early mornings were spent saddling up horses, fixing fencing, moving cattle, picking up hay and tending to livestock and farm duties. Manuel was a true cowboy and was deeply sought after for his vast knowledge breaking in horses. The sweetest memories are those on Cow House Creek, especially birthdays. Manuel would always surprise his grandchildren with a watermelon that he would place at the edge of the creek to keep cold and once they got tired of swimming and playing, he would cut the watermelon and share with them all. There are many precious memories of trips to the local sale barns and listening to The Judds on the way home in his 1972 blue Chevy pickup. Much simpler times and memories that will stay with our family forever.

Manuel also worked for Scott’s Funeral Home as a cemetery operative when they were located on Leon Street. He later went on to work for Gary and Debbie Beasley as a ranch hand for many years.

A treasured memory that Gary shared with one of Manuel’s grandchildren is this, “You have the best grandparents one could have, and I see that their graciousness is carried forward in you.”

In his later years, he helped his late wife with babysitting and became everyone’s “Welo”. To the point that kids cried not wanting to leave when it was time to go home. He was the most patient man, taking walks and playing with children for hours on end.

Manuel was an honest man of integrity, grit, well poised in the face of adversity, trustworthy, with a work ethic that was unmatched. Through hard times he held strong that God would bring them through. He was a man who did everything full of faith for the Lord and to serve for the betterment of his family. He and his wife built a home that was a safe place for their children and all of those they welcomed in it. His kindness and generosity and love for his family will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him. He was a man of his word; his handshake served as a promise and a symbol of trust. Our Daddy was a pillar of strength, wisdom and unconditional love. We will carry every bit of what he showed us and share his legacy with others.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Agustina Acosta with whom he was married to for 64 years; son in law, Forest Bloodworth; and granddaughter, Ericka Valdez.

Manuel is survived by his brothers, Alfonso Acosta, Alberto Acosta, and Ruben Acosta; sister, Dora Acosta; children, Guadalupe Bloodworth, Jesus Manuel Acosta, Eulalio Acosta, Irma Valdez and husband, Cesar, and Sylvia Valdez and husband, Diego; twelve grandchildren, Elsa Tindell and husband, Aaron, Leslie Ortega and husband, Nicholas, Jessie Acosta and wife, Katy, Taylor Acosta, Noemi Valdez, Arisa Wood and husband, Ethan, Ariana Valdez, Jaime Valdez and wife, Jordyn, Oscar Valdez and wife, Arianna, Miguel Valdez and wife, Brittney, Monica Cena and husband, Irann, and Diego Valdez Jr.; fourteen great-grandchildren, Gavin and Breana Tindell, Gabriel Retana and partner, Italia, Israel and Daniel Ortega, Emri, Eiro and Ryland Wood, Raylee, Brayden, Beckham and Rylee Valdez, Alora Sofia Cena, and Aiden Valdez.

The family would like to give special thanks to Gentle Transitions Hospice and their entire team for the special care given to our dad and support to our family. Thank you for your kindness and loving care shown to the very end. Though dementia may have impaired his memory, he never forgot the love of his life, his wife. Our hearts are broken but we find joy knowing that they are walking the streets of gold hand and hand together again.