Manuel Gomez Rios

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 4:00 an Trinity Baptist Church.  Pastor Chris Hough will officiate. 

The family will receive friends from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, Sunday, April 16, at Trinity Baptist Church, 5895 W. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport, Louisiana.

Born March 29, 1960, in Santo Tomas, Mexico to Manuel and Elaina Rios.  Manuel emigrated to the United States as a young man.  When he arrived in the United States, he persevered to learn English and carve a place for himself with his determination and strong work ethic.  He began a life-long career in the Water Well Drilling industry.  He began working in the industry for Landford Drilling, with Preston Niette and Carl Niette.  Several years later, in 1984, all three joined Continental Drilling and Service, where they continued to work as a team.  Manuel excelled at Continental Drilling and Service over his 39-year career with the company, eventually holding the position of lead driller for over 26 years.  His sense of humor and comradery on the rigs always made the day speed by.  His knowledge and skill as a driller were respected by fellow workers, customers, and engineers alike.  His greatest passions were family and work, but he also enjoyed collecting vintage firearms, hot rod cars and travel.  He loved to hunt down deals; every pawnshop in North Louisiana knew Manuel by name.  Spending time on the beach with his wife was a favorite place.  He always saw the best in people, trying to find the good in life and to see the positive in any situation.  Manuel led an amazing life, becoming a father, a grandfather, a US Citizen, a farm owner, mastering his craft of drilling and so much more.  He will be missed by all that know him. 

Manuel was preceded in death by his parents Manuel Rios and Elaina Rios; (also Oscar and Christine LaBorde, whom he thought of as his second parents). 

He is survived by his wife Tammy, his sons: Derrick Rios and wife Katie of Frisco, Texas, Damon Rios of Baton Rouge, Christopher Johnson of Alexandria, Derrick Parish and wife Brittni of St Francisville La, Brandon Parish and companion Nicole Garcia of Shreveport, Sisters; Nina Rios, Martha Rios, Olivia Rios, Juanita Rios, and brother, Humberto Rios. He was blessed with eighteen grandchildren: Taylor Johnson, Christian Johnson, Jayde Parish, Abigail Parish, Connor Parish, Anora Parish, Bella Parish, Camilla Parish, Jonah Parish, Maddox Parish, Macie Parish, Noah Parish, Beckett Steib, Presley Steib, Harper Weingeart, Brennan Garcia, Braylon Garcia, Aiden Garcia, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Alan Self, Jonathan LaBorde, Randy Jones, Richard Brice, Ryan McKinney, James Hill, Joe Bueche, Kelly “Byrd” Arnold, Glenn Mann, and Brian Kadar.

Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Manor West, TMC Rehabilitation, Stormy Tullis, Dr. Randy Del Mundo, Trinity Baptist Church, Carl McBeath and Casey McBeath of Balentine Ambulance Service, the 4th floor nurses at Willis Knighton Pierremont, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Staff at The Carpenter House for the amazing care provided.