Manuel G “Manny” Ledesma, 91, passed away Feb. 1, 2018 in Las Vegas, NV, after a year long battle with leukemia. He was born May 8, 1926 in Detroit, MI to Augustine and Aurora (Jimenez) Ledesma. Manny attended Jefferson High School until age 17.
He then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps ,where he participated in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima and the Volcano Islands. After the war ended, he participated in the occupation of China. He was honorably discharged June 2, 1946 at Great Lakes, Illinois, having obtained the rank of Corporal. After the war he worked at various jobs and became employed as a union carpenter in 1951. He continued in this field, rising through the ranks, and became carpenter business manager in 1975. Due to health problems he retired in 1979. Manny married Betty Johnson in 1948 at Angola Indiana.
They were later divorced. He married Geraldine Panda in 1960, they were later divorced. He is survived by his fiancé Anna Gallegos, of Las Vegas, NV, sons Mark (Sharon) Ledesma, Manhattan Beach, California, Keith (Gail) Ledesma, Johnstown, CO, Kevin (Claudia) Ledesma, Haika, HI, and daughter, Claudia (John) Caverzagie, Falls City, nephew Tony (Carolyn) Ledesma, several nieces, 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Rudy, a sister Maria (in infancy) and a son Michael. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Las Vegas. Palm Northwest Mortuary, Las Vegas, Nevada is in charge of arrangements.
