Manuel Jose Pulido Bohorquez

Chief Warrant Officer Manuel Pulido Bohorquez, surrounded by his loving family, joined a chorus of angels on November 23, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 78 years young living with his family in Lakeland, Florida.

Manuel was born in Bogota, Colombia on February 4, 1944, to Sophia and Manuel Pulido. He spent his childhood in Colombia, assisting his father with his transportation business and playing professional soccer.

After graduating from high school, he went on to college in Puerto Rico where he met and married the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Angelita.

Fresh out of college, and newly married, he combined his love of aeronautical mechanics and aviation with his heart for service when he enlisted in the United States Army in 1970. It was here that he earned his American citizenship and established a 26-year career in service to his adopted country.

His distinguished military service saw him serve all over the world – Vietnam, Germany, The Republic of Korea, Grenada, Panama (Just Cause), Saudi Arabia and Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Soon after the Vietnam conflict, he applied for Warrant Officer School and graduated top in his class. He spent time throughout the United States serving as a Chief Warrant Officer at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, Fort Carson, Colorado, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Hood, Texas. He earned a variety of awards and commendation medals for his service including the: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Achievements Medals along with a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Meritorious Commendation Medal Award and Army Superior Unit Award.

Upon retirement from the Army, he began a career as a small business owner establishing a car business, Manny’s Showcase Auto Sales. However, his greatest passion came when he began service as a Pastor and Missionary. In 2009, he traveled to his home country, Colombia, and began planting churches and serving the people of several Colombian communities. His love for Jesus was evident in every part of his life.

He fully enjoyed his ministry and those he met along the way. He made the time to show up for everyone who reached out, providing caring, trustworthy, and sound counsel always. He simply wanted to brighten lives and that he surely did. Peace and caring permeated him, and kindness felt like it was his middle name. He was an incredible man of faith, a shining example of God’s grace to all people. Manuel was known and loved everywhere he went.

His greatest love was his family. Manuel was the most loving husband, father, and Abuelo. He adored his family and was a cheerleader for his grown kids, and his grandkids too. He instilled in his children a passion for their faith, a love and loyalty to their country and a lifetime of service to their communities. Abuelo loved soccer and sports, cheering on his grandkids any time he had the opportunity. His favorite past time – ice cream dates with his grandkids.

Manuel was predeceased by his parents, Sophia and Manuel Pulido. He is survived by wife, Angelita, sons, Edward (Karen) and Manny, daughter, Yadira (Chad) and grandchildren, Kaitlin, Kinsley, Jacoby, Ava and Stryker.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the garnet team at Cornerstone Hospice, the team at Good Shepherd Hospice House and to the home-based primary care team at the Lakeland VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Scott Lake Baptist Church Mission Fund - Voz De Salvacion Church in Guaduas, Colombia.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, December 2,2022 at 10 a.m. at Scott Lake Baptist Church. with interment to follow at Oak Hill Burial Park.