Former Ak-Chin Charman Louis Manuel Jr. dies at 57
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By KATIE SAWYER Staff Writer Apr 6, 2020 Updated 6 hrs ago
MARICOPA — Louis Manuel Jr., who led the Ak-Chin Indian Community as chairman during a period of growth for the tribe, has died.
Manuel, 57, died unexpectedly of unconfirmed causes Sunday morning. He leaves behind his wife, Yolanda Rodriguez, children and extended family including his sister, Erica Manuel.
Both posted heartfelt messages to social media following his passing.
“My precious, precious husband,” Rodriguez posted on Facebook. “My heart…. We were perfect together! I cannot expect that anyone would have less than kind words as there was no greater man in the world.”
Ultra-Star Multi-tainment Center also made a public statement commending Manuel for his extensive career in public service, and his work on the center during his time on the Tribal Council. Phoenix Indian Center similarly applauded him as “a strong leader and noted as one of the most influential minority leaders in Arizona.”
Manuel’s sister Erica described him as a man who was always looking out for his community, and a great role model to her.
“He instilled so much knowledge and leadership into me. I am who I am today, because of him. I loved our time together and will remember all that he taught me about life and traditions,” Erica wrote on Facebook. “He was a great man, husband, father, leader and brother … I am so emotionally numb right now. Please keep us in your prayers.”
During his time on the council, Manuel was an integral part of relations between the Maricopa and Ak-Chin communities. He presented Maricopa many monetary donations from his council including millions in school funding and public parks.
“Chairman Manuel, as I knew him, was a statesman, a respected leader, a family man, and a dear, dear friend,” Maricopa Mayor Christian Price wrote on Facebook. “He will most likely never know what he meant to me and what he taught me, and all that I truly learned from him that made me feel like Ak-Chin/Maricopa family. He will be sincerely missed.”
>https://www.pinalcentral.com/maricopa_monitor/news/former-ak-chin-charman-louis-manuel-jr-dies-at-57/article_d45877b7-f530-548c-861d-74d81426a1ba.html