Merle "Magic"

Manfrina

Merle “Magic” Manfrina, a lifelong Lompoc farmer and Vietnam veteran, left this world at 1:00 a.m. on November 1, 2026. It was raining.

A farm boy through and through, Merle was born on January 8, 1947, to Erminio Manfrina and Thelma Gertrude Morehart. He attended Maple Elementary School and Lompoc High School, where he was an active member of the FFA and played basketball. He went on to California Polytechnic State University and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, hoping to avoid the draft. Two weeks later, he received his conscription letter.

He won a Sharpshooter trophy for first place against more than 300 fellow draftees at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Merle served 16 months straight in the U.S. Army in Vietnam after boot camp. He was assigned to long-range artillery and later told stories of Duc Hue, Cu Chi, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon returning to Lompoc, cruising in his 1964 Chevy Impala, he met the love of his life, Diana. Together they raised three children—Jessie Roemer, Sarah Castañeda, and Peter Manfrina—while farming his home ranch and leasing some ground. In the early 1980s, they bought 60 acres on San Pasqual, farmed that ground, and later purchased the ranch on the other side of San Pasqual. They raised Angus beef, grew yellow beans for seed, and farmed other row crops, all while making time for their grandchildren, Armani, Frank, Zario, Rose, and Jerrika.

Papa loved God, his grandkids, his dogs, and Wild Turkey. He taught faith, farming, fishing, and fun. To his grandchildren, he was legendary! Many people knew him and his flirtatious personality.

Merle was preceded in death by his wife, Diana. He is survived by his twin sister, Marilyn; his children Jessie, Sarah, and Peter; his grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a veterans’ charity of your choice.

A Rosary will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Starbuck Mortuary. A Funeral Mass will follow on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at La Purísima Concepción Catholic Church, with interment at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery immediately afterward.