Conroe community mourns 21-year-old college student who died in July 4 floods

CONROE, Texas — A memorial service was held Tuesday in Conroe for Reese Manchaca, a 21-year-old University of Texas at San Antonio architecture student who died in flooding along the Guadalupe River during the July 4 weekend. The service comes two weeks after the tragedy that has left communities across Texas grieving multiple flood victims.

Manchaca was with her boyfriend and two other friends at a home along the Guadalupe River when the fatal flooding occurred. The bodies of Manchaca and two others were found, while one friend remains missing.

The young woman had graduated from Caney Creek High School just three years ago, where she finished in the top 10% of her graduating class. She was crowned Miss Caney Creek and voted best dressed in her class before going on to study architecture at UTSA.

“It always seems like we lose the best of us in these tragedies,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw during the memorial service.

Last week, Manchaca’s body was transported from the Hill Country to Montgomery County in a procession that crossed Central Texas back to her hometown. The memorial service featured emotional moments as the community came together to celebrate her life.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough addressed attendees with a message about life. 

“Life is fragile. Every day is a gift. I want to encourage you as your friend, make your life count,” Keough said.

The sadness from the flooding tragedy has stretched throughout Texas over the past two weeks, leaving few communities untouched. Tuesday’s memorial for Manchaca was one of several such services held in the Houston area, with more expected in the coming weeks as communities continue to mourn those lost in the devastating floods.