John O. Camacho, 86, passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2017 in Spokane, Wash.  John Camacho was born in El Paso, Texas in March of 1931, to Reyes and Josephina Camacho.  John was a young boy when the family moved to Soledad, Calif.

John enlisted in the United States Army in 1948 at 17 years of age.   He was stationed at Ft. Ord, Calif.   He attended Jump School and trained as a Paratrooper in Ft. Benning, Georgia.

He was employed with Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. as a Tire Inspector and close to retirement when the plant shut down.

John was a long-time resident of Salinas, Calif., before his many travels throughout.

He lived out his final few years in a nursing home.

His pastimes were history and reading.  He enjoyed gardening, cooking (ceviche tostadas, menudo and salsas were some of his specialties), dancing and music (from listening to classical with his granddaughters to mariachi music and his favorite Mexican musicians with his daughter, Debra).  He loved traveling and making new friends in the process.  He enjoyed visiting his long-time friends in Salinas and Soledad year after year.  He loved hanging out with his grandkids and would always spoil them with gifts on each return from his travels.  His favorite place to visit was Mazatlán, Mexico.

My Father was a strong man, and fitness and prayer were a part of his daily regimen.  He had a great sense of humor and a great smile.  My Father shared with me many of his life adventures growing up as a young boy, to his military days, to stories with his life in general.  My Father always told me, "Mija, I always feel like I am Home when I'm with you".   I will forever hold these words and memories and cherish them in my heart.

John is survived by his daughter, Debra Ledo; son-in-law, Patrick Ledo and three grandchildren, Danielle, Isabella and Michael all of King City.  John is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Camacho in 1996 and his son, John R. Camacho in 2014.