Rex Manaster, a Dallas, Texas, attorney and businessman known for his legal career and deep commitment to his family, died unexpectedly on October 18, 2026, at the age of 58. His death has left his children, relatives, friends, and professional associates mourning the loss of a man whose life extended beyond his work in the legal profession.
According to his published obituary through Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, Manaster was born on October 13, 1968, and built a career as an independent attorney and businessman. He was particularly proud of his role as a father to his children, Jude Saul and Sadie Bliss Manaster, whom the obituary identifies as the central part of his life.
The obituary describes a man with an analytical mind, an entrepreneurial spirit, a sharp sense of humor, and a talent for connecting with people from different backgrounds. While his professional achievements formed an important part of his life, his family relationships and longstanding friendships remained central to the remembrance shared by those closest to him.
A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for Friday, October 23, at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas.
Who Was Rex Manaster?
Rex Manaster was a Texas attorney who served as the managing member of Manaster Law Firm PLLC in Dallas. His professional background included legal education at Southern Methodist University School of Law and an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
His career involved personal injury law and related legal matters. According to his firm’s professional profile, he was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1994 and previously held a California license, which became inactive.
Manaster’s work required legal analysis, client communication, and the ability to navigate complicated disputes. His professional experience was supported by years of education and practice, but his obituary also emphasizes qualities that extended beyond his legal responsibilities.
He was remembered as entrepreneurial, curious about the world, quick-witted, and loyal to the people in his life.
Early Life, Education, and Personal Background
Manaster was born on October 13, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, to Jane and Guy Manaster. He grew up in Austin, Texas, alongside his sisters, Dawn Manaster Levy and Kim Manaster Mitchell.
He graduated from McCallum High School in 1986 before attending the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his undergraduate studies in 1990 through the university’s Honors Humanities program.
His education also included an experience at Beijing University in China, reflecting an interest in learning beyond his immediate surroundings.
Manaster later attended Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he participated in the SMU Law Review. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1994, the same year his legal career began in Texas.
These academic experiences formed the foundation for his work as an attorney and businessman in the years that followed.
Rex Manaster’s Legal Career in Dallas
Manaster established himself in the Dallas legal community through his work at Manaster Law Firm PLLC, where he served as managing member.
The firm’s professional profile identifies personal injury law as his principal area of practice. His work included matters involving motor vehicle accidents and other injuries, alongside related legal disputes.
His professional credentials also included certification as a mediator and ad litem work, as listed in his firm’s profile.
Manaster’s career brought him into contact with clients facing difficult personal and legal circumstances. His firm’s published materials emphasize the importance of clear communication, preparation, and trust in attorney-client relationships.
While the public professional record documents his education and practice areas, his obituary presents another dimension of his character: an ability to connect with people and approach relationships with humor and genuine interest.
Family Was at the Center of His Life
The published obituary places particular emphasis on Manaster’s relationship with his children, Jude Saul and Sadie Bliss Manaster.
It describes fatherhood as the role that mattered most to him and says he regarded his children as the best thing that had happened to him. His pride in them was evident whenever he spoke about them, according to the family remembrance.
He is also survived by his mother, Jane Manaster; his sisters, Dawn Manaster Levy and Kim Manaster Mitchell; his partner, Mika Chalk-Manaster; and other relatives named in the obituary.
His father, Guy James Manaster, died before him.
The obituary also identifies Ted Barac as his lifelong best friend. Beyond these named relationships, it describes a wider circle of friends whose lives were shaped by their connection with Rex.
For those closest to him, his death represents the loss of a family member, companion, and friend whose presence was woven into everyday life.
Rex Manaster Obituary: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rex Manaster |
| Date of birth | October 13, 1968 |
| Date of death | October 18, 2026 |
| Age | 58 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois |
| Raised in | Austin, Texas |
| Residence and professional base | Dallas, Texas |
| Occupation | Attorney and businessman |
| Law firm | Manaster Law Firm PLLC |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin; Southern Methodist University School of Law |
| Children | Jude Saul and Sadie Bliss Manaster |
| Mother | Jane Manaster |
| Sisters | Dawn Manaster Levy and Kim Manaster Mitchell |
| Partner | Mika Chalk-Manaster |
| Cause of death | Not disclosed in the published obituary |
| Memorial service | October 23, 2026, at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas |
These details are drawn primarily from the funeral home’s published obituary and the law firm’s professional profile.
Friends Remember His Humor, Loyalty, and Support
Rex Manaster’s obituary describes him as fiercely loyal, quick-witted, and genuinely caring. Those qualities helped shape the friendships he maintained throughout his life.
A separate tribute published by TC News recounts memories shared by people who knew him personally. The report describes friendships built through humor, creative projects, advice, and mutual support during difficult periods.
Such recollections offer a glimpse into the personal relationships that existed outside his professional life. For friends, the memories of conversations, shared experiences, and ordinary moments can become especially meaningful after an unexpected loss.
Although each person who knew Manaster will remember him differently, the published accounts point to the importance of friendship and the value he placed on maintaining close connections.
Memorial Service and Ways to Honor His Memory
According to the funeral home’s obituary, a memorial service and celebration of life is scheduled for Friday, October 23, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, located at 8500 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, Texas 75225.
Those planning to attend should consult the funeral home’s official notice for any updated arrangements.
The family has requested memorial donations to Shatterproof, a national organization working to address the addiction crisis. The obituary provides the organization’s website and mailing information for those who wish to make a contribution in Manaster’s memory.
The request offers friends and others who wish to honor him a way to support a cause identified by his family.
What Is Known About Rex Manaster’s Cause of Death?
Rex Manaster’s death is confirmed by his published funeral home obituary, which states that he died unexpectedly on October 18, 2026.
However, the obituary does not identify a specific cause of death or explain the circumstances surrounding his passing. No cause should therefore be attributed to him without a reliable statement from the family or another authoritative source.
The word “unexpectedly” describes the nature of the loss as presented in the obituary, but it does not establish a medical explanation or indicate that a particular incident occurred.
For now, his cause of death remains undisclosed in the available official notice.
A Legacy of Family, Professional Dedication, and Friendship
Rex Manaster’s life brought together a substantial legal career, an interest in learning, and strong personal relationships. His education and work established his professional path, while his obituary makes clear that his children and family held a particularly important place in his life.
His death at 58 leaves his loved ones with memories of his humor, curiosity, loyalty, and the time they shared with him.
As family, friends, and colleagues gather to remember him, the published obituary provides an account of a life shaped by professional commitment and personal connection. His legacy will continue through his children, the relationships he built, and the memories cherished by those who knew him.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the published obituary from Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home and other publicly available professional information. Rex Manaster’s death and biographical details are documented in those sources, but the specific cause of death has not been disclosed in the obituary reviewed. Memorial arrangements may change, so readers should consult the funeral home’s official notice for the latest information.