Second Latino to serve on Fresno school board dies. He was ‘an activist, advocate and leader’

Manuel G. Núñez – whose 2004 remarks at a high school graduation critical of the Iraq War overshadowed his 19 years on the board as a supporter of minority students and workers – will be recognized by the school board at its Wednesday evening meeting.

Núñez died on May 1, a week short of his 87th birthday, after a 10-year battle against Parkinson’s Disease.

The board resolution notes that Núñez, who served on the board from 1990 to 2008, “was a strong advocate for advancing opportunity and access for students in Fresno.”

His death was posted on social media by a former colleague of his at Fresno State, where Núñez was a longtime counselor.

“Manuel left us with great memories not only as a friend but as an activist, advocate, and leader,” Eddie Varela, president of El Concilio, posted on Facebook. “He left a legacy of exemplary service to students, fellow employees, and to our community.”

Former Assemblymember Juan Arámbula, in remarks to The Fresno Bee after Núñez lost his reelection bid in 2008, said Núñez “played an important role in being a voice” for people who felt they had no representation on the school board.

“It’s going to be a real loss to have him gone,” said Arámbula at the time. Arámbula served eight years on the school board.

Núñez irked parents and school board members in his speech to the Hoover High School class of 2004 with a statement critical of the war in Iraq.

Speaking directly to graduates who had volunteered for the military, he said: “ I wish you a safe and successful tour of duty as you search for the so-called weapons of mass destruction and the liberation of Iraq and other countries that President Bush, Vice President (Dick) Cheney and Defense Secretary (Donald) Rumsfeld decide to point to next as our enemies.”

The school board president, after the district received numerous phone calls opposing Núñez’s comment, replaced him as the next evening’s speaker for the Roosevelt High graduation ceremony at the Save Mart Center. Núñez represented the Roosevelt area his entire time on the board.

Núñez, addressing the controversy the following day, said he should have ended his statement after wishing the military-bound graduates a safe and successful tour of duty.

“The president has the right to choose where he wants to send our troops,” said Núñez, who apologized during various media interviews.

Núñez, the second Latino ever elected to the Fresno school board, turned his reelection defeat into something positive by promoting a change in how trustees are elected.

When he lost to Larry Moore, a past president of the Fresno Teachers Association, the trustees had to live in the area they represented but voters throughout the district voted. That meant someone in the Hoover High area voted for the representative in that area and those in the other six areas.

Núñez and colleague Luisa Medina lost reelection efforts, leaving no Latinos on a school board overseeing a district with more than 60% Latino enrollment.

Following a campaign by Latino activists, the district changed the process to where residents of a particular district can vote only for candidates in their districts. (There are three Latinas on the board today).

When he left the school board, Núñez said he championed Latino students and their families.

“I looked for issues that were important to us, where other people may have ignored them,” said Núñez. “That’s what spurred me on.”

His supporters noted he pushed for more Latinos in leadership roles in the district, and spoke up for non-English-speaking parents by convincing the district to hire more bilingual workers..

Núñez was born in Santa María, the first of six children born to farm laborer Grimaldo Núñez and his wife, Dolores. The father opened a pool room in downtown Santa María, where Manuel learned pool skills that helped him earn pocket money in college.

Manuel, a fan of Cal football, dreamed of attending UC Berkeley and working as a radio announcer. He was accepted at Cal and UCLA but chose Fresno State because it offered a radio and television major.

Núñez graduated from Fresno State in 1958 with a degree in history. He worked as a veterinary assistant for Dr. Chaffee at the Fresno zoo.

He worked as a Fresno County social worker and later as a life insurance salesperson before moving on to become a financial aid counselor at Fresno City College and Stanislaus State.

In 1974, Núñez started working in Fresno State’s financial aid office and later moved over to the Equal Opportunity Program where he spent 21 of his 25 years with Fresno State.

“He worked tirelessly to promote the benefits of higher education to prospective students all around the Central Valley, and assisted low-income students in unlocking the financial-aid pathways to college success,” said his son Paul Núñez.

Manuel traveled to high schools in farming communities to prepare and recruit students for college.

“He treated them as young intelligent minds, capable of achieving success in college,” said his son.

At Fresno State, Núñez helped create a citywide college fair for high school students and their parents in the mid-1980s. He was also instrumental in the Summer Bridge program, Chicano Youth Center, and freshman orientation night at Fresno State.

“His love of his Mexican culture meant that he kept his record player belting out his favorite canciones, and he and (wife) Lasara filled their home with authentic Mexican cuisine and decor,” said Paul Núñez.

Núñez was an avid golfer and handball player who enjoyed traveling.

He is survived by Lasara, his wife of 64 years; daughter Mónica; sons Peter, David, and Paul; five grandchildren; and, seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned for early summer.

This story was originally published May 1, 2023 at 4:54 PM.