Francis Joseph Camacho, fondly called “Bunky” by family and friends, went to be with his Lord and departed loved ones on May 4, 2016.
Bunky was preceded in death by his grandfather Joseph Leal Camacho, his grandmother Lucy Camacho, his father Francis Leal Camacho, his beloved mother Francis E. “Ga-ga” Camacho, his mother-in-law Lupe Muro Corral, his father-in-law Leo Corral, his niece Janine Lamon-Ferguson, and his nephew Ralph Corral.
Bunky was born in San Jose, California in 1939 and lived the remainder of his life in Gilroy. He was one of five children. He and his brother and best friend Don Camacho spent many youthful hours touring the back streets of Gilroy in their souped-up black model T. Bunky graduated from Gilroy High School and later retired as a Supervisor from Pacific Gas and Electric at the young age of fifty.
Bunky was an avid archer and bowhunter, having been a longtime member and multiple-term president of Mt. Madonna Bowmen. He loved the outdoors and hunting and fishing the mountains of Santa Catalina, Nevada, and Montana; he had a special attachment to Bell Meadows near Dodge Ridge. He was an avid gun collector and was always eager to share his over 200+ gun and antique sword collection.
He was a talented photographer and loved taking pictures of insects with his state of the art macro-lenses; although he could have done the job with a less sophisticated camera, he maintained that he had to have the 10K model.
Bunky also loved learning about the indigenous peoples of the Americas and visited many sites over his lifetime, collecting artifacts and mementos on his journeys.
And yet, more so than any other hobby, he had a deep passion for collecting the latest and greatest tools and technologies.
Bunky loved a fine cigar, a good scotch and water, and great company. He was well known for his stories. On most afternoons, he could be found on a bench in his well-cared-for garden, watching the wildlife that frequented the area.
He was a loving grandfather to his grandchildren and spent many summer days riding around in his 1970s orange Jeep, an American Flag waving in the backseat. Though he suffered a devastating hemorrhagic stroke on September 2, 2011, he worked hard thereafter to regain many of his skills, including the ability to walk with minimal support. It was his strong will and zest for life that allowed us to have him for another five years. He will be dearly missed by all those that knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, please send any gifts or donations to Predator’s Archery in Gilroy, California in his name. A scholarship has been created to teach archery to at-risk youth, with the hopes that the sport will become their comfort and their passion, as it was for Bunky.
Please email
ly**************@gm***.com
for information regarding a celebration of his life.
