John M. Mankin

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John M. Mankin at the age of 85. John was born October 25, 1939 to Grover Mankin and Evelyn Sparks in Murfreesboro, (Bell Buckle), Tennessee.

John grew up in a farming community in Bell Buckle, TN a few miles out of Murfreesboro where his parents were cotton/ dairy farmers. He proudly served the United States Air Force enlisting in October of 1956 and was stationed in Bermuda. He was honorably released from active duty on February 16, 1960. After John's military career he returned home to Bell Buckle, and attended a year at Middle Tennessee College. He moved to Florida in the 60s, where he worked at Good Year for several years. He married Judy Campbell and they had their first child Johnathan Tracy Mankin. He moved to Houston Texas, working for several companies. John moved to Corpus Christi in 1972 where he opened his own business John’s Used Cars on Water Street. He met and married his second wife Ellie Leon Guerrero in March of 1973. He sold his used car business and moved to Orange Grove and joined Mac Armstrong (Armstrong Lumber) building homes. John then operated his own business hay baling. After he sold his business he moved to Weslaco, Texas to join his brother Doug manufacturing houses. He continued until 1987, he then returned back to Orange Grove and started a real estate land development business (buying and selling properties). In May of 1989 he moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii to join a Harlingen Texas developer, and ended up being a coffee farmer until 1990. He returned back to Orange Grove and continued his land developing business. He and his partner Loyd Potter returned to Kailua-Kona in 2008 and purchased a coffee farm and also started a charter fishing boat with Loyd Potter as Captain. They sold their coffee farm in 2014 and returned back to Orange Grove. John continued his land development real estate business until his passing.  He and Ellie built their home in Orange Grove in 2015. He enjoyed hunting and at the Klatt’s Ranch with his buddy Ruben Luna and fishing at Port Mansfield, Texas. John was known for being an avid hunter, fisherman, and a great ambitious businessman. He loved Coors light, Gentleman Jack, and Tequila. He loved and lived life to the fullest. He will be missed by many Texas and Hawaii friends and families. 

He was preceded in death by his only child and son Jonathan T. Mankin; his parents Grover Mankin and Evelyn McGriff Sparks; his two sisters Emma Allen (Jimmy) and Dorothy Rowland; his brother Grover (Bud) Mankin Jr. and his wife Glenda; his in laws Juan and Margie Leon Guerrero; sister-in-law Gloria Shirley and her husband Dave Shirley; and Vicky Leon Guerrero.

Loved ones left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years Ellie aka Iluina Leon Guerrero Mankin; daughter in law Elaine Mankin; brother Douglas W. Mankin and his wife Maria Guerra Mankin; in laws Sylvia Benavente Dothan, Al, Mary (Roque) Salas, John Leon Guerrero (Ann), Margie Ann Guam (Franklin Artero), Phillip Leon Guerrero (Marylou); and numerous in laws, nieces, and nephews. 

A Visitation will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 11:00 AM followed by a Funeral Service to be celebrated at 12:00 PM at Holmgreen Mortuary 2061 E. Main Street Alice, Texas. A Burial with Military Honors will be held at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery to be announced at a later date. Dress casual in your Hawaiian shirts no shorts and no flip flops. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.comand shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook.

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