SSG Manuel Monte Caballes Jr.

Manuel Monte Caballes, Jr., son of Manuel Anito Caballes and Brenda Lyn (Monte) Caballes, was born on October 21, 1985, in Dumaguete City, Philippines. In his early years, JR, as he was known to his friends and family, attended Silliman University before transferring to COSCA (St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic School) for his sophomore year. In 2001, he and his family immigrated to Florida, where he completed his high school education at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Music Business at Full Sail University, graduating in 2010. In 2015, JR entered the United States Army and proudly served for nearly 10 years with the United States Army Corps of Engineers as a 12N, Horizontal Construction Engineer. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was well respected by his fellow soldiers. On July 9, 2022, JR married Blesshe Anna Costelo Anipan. They shared many wonderful memories and loved spending time together. JR had a deep passion for music, loved playing the drums, and was an exceptional dancer. He enjoyed bike riding and took great joy in cooking for his friends and family, especially for his wife. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Rho A P and the Freemason-Prince Hall Military Lodge No. 141. JR entered his heavenly home on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, at the age of 39. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Blesshe Caballes, and their son, Francis, his parents, Manuel Alphonso Caballes, Sr., and Brenda Lyn Caballes; his brother, Allen Caballes; his nephew, Kaiden Caballes; as well as his uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends. JR was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Lolo Ben Monte, Lolo Toloy Caballes; his uncle, Tito Junior Geconcillo; his uncle, Daddy Gilbert Solis; his cousin, Mariz De La Calzada; and his cousin, Manong Boboy Geconcillo. Though he is no longer with us, JR’s love for his family, his dedication to his country, and his joyful spirit will forever live on in our hearts. Funeral mass with military honors were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2025 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Services were the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of SSG Manuel Caballes and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

SSG Manuel Monte Caballes Jr.

October 21, 1985 - February 24, 2025