Tommy "Coach" Camacho Sr.

1943 - 2013

ODESSA Tommy "Coach" Camacho, Sr. passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2013, in Odessa surrounded by his loving family, after a year long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.

Tommy was born on September 8, 1943, in Ranger, Texas, to Salvador Camacho and Angela Jimenez Camacho.

He graduated from Andrews High School, where he excelled in football and baseball. As a result of his love of sports, Tommy decided to get his Physical Education degree from Sul Ross University. He started his career at Ector High School, coaching swimming and then went to El Paso, where he taught 5th and 6th grade classes. Tommy returned to Odessa and taught physical education at Zavala Elementary. Tommy then started a new career, working in the oilfield. He worked for Gulf and Chevron for about 16 years before returning to teach physical education at Dowling Elementary and retiring at Cavazos Elementary. He continued to substitute at Cavazos Elementary up until last year, when his health began to fail. When he wasn't substituting he was playing golf with his buddies or heading to the casinos in Hobbs, Laughlin or Las Vegas.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Joe Camacho.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Tommy Camacho, Jr. and grandson Jermiah Camacho; daughter, Cecilia Ochoa and husband Ruben and granddaughter, his "Little Darling," Amree Ochoa; ex-wife and friend Anna Talavera and a daughter from a previous marriage, Trina Camacho-London. Also, left to cherish his memory are his brothers, Ricky Camacho and wife Rhonda and Freddy Camacho and wife Tashya and niece Rayny Hagen and nephew Raymond Camacho, Jr., and stepfather Raymond Camacho, Sr.

A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2013, at 7 o'clock, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Don Caywood officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Home Hospice in Odessa in Tommy's memory.

The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Also, thanks to Home Hospice and his nurse, Victoria Ramirez, and all the other nurses, aides and staff that assisted with his care these last few weeks. The family would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Kaczor and Dr. George and their staff.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home. To sign the guest book, go to our website at www.sunsetodessa.com.