Bonifacio Camarillo, Jr.

Bonifacio Camarillo Jr., age 77, a resident of Kingsville, Texas, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024. To friends he was known as Mr. B., to his family Jr. or Boni, but he always loved being called Dad and Grandpa most of all. He was born on October 26, 1947, in Kingsville, Texas to Bonifacio Camarillo, Sr. and Juanita Muniz Camarillo. He was preceded in death by his loving parents. 

The oldest of nine, he grew up in Kingsville surrounded by a close-knit family. In his early days, Boni was very involved in the music and youth programs at Templo Betel Assembly of God Church. He enjoyed serving as a youth leader and a musician for the church. He also played saxophone and bass guitar with several Christian bands that toured locally. Raised in a musically talented family, Boni and his siblings played multiple musical instruments and often held “jam” sessions at family gatherings as they accompanied their dad who played the accordion. During the summers of his youth, he worked the fields picking cotton and, later, converted his dad’s haul trucks to harvest grain from nearby South Texas fields. On Sunday afternoons in the fall, he could be found watching the Dallas Cowboys or playing football outside with his brothers, cousins and friends. 

After high school, he served honorably in the United States Navy as an aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam war era. His Navy service included a 9-month tour with the USS Independence aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea. When he returned from serving his country, he joined the family business. He was co-owner and operator of Camarillo’s Auto Salvage and Towing for over 40 years with his dad and brother, Henry. Although his work included the family business, his passion was building and racing cars with his brothers. He was known for his creativity and ingenuity with cars. During the 1970’s-1980’s, he partnered with his brother Henry to build a hybrid car (half ’67 Camaro and half Firebird) known throughout the South Texas racing circuits as the “Half-Breed.” His mechanical and racing accomplishments became legendary among local car enthusiasts. In his later years, he returned to his family and church roots by attending Las Palmas Spanish Mission (a ministry of King’s Way Family Church). Boni left a legacy of hard-work, entrepreneurial free spirit, the love of cars and music, and his jovial sense of humor to his children. He never lost his quick wit and was always ready to make a joke or make someone laugh. 

Boni is survived by his daughter, Michelle Camarillo Rangel (Roy); sons, Mitchell Camarillo (Katie) and Brandon Thomas; grandchildren, Abbie Rangel and Lilah, Gemma, and Clark Camarillo; siblings, Selas Camarillo (Sharon), Andy Camarillo (Norma), Henry Camarillo, Gracie Pourner (Tim), Anita Womack (Jay), Felix Camarillo (Linda), Connie Smith (Brian), Tim Camarillo (Melissa); and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many devoted friends who cherished his friendship. 

The family will receive condolences from 5:00pm to 9:00 pm on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary Chapel; with a prayer service at 7:00pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30am, Saturday, January 4, 2025, at King’s Way Family Church. Services officiated by Rev. Francisco Gonzalez and Rev. Edwin Cann. Burial will follow in Kingsville at Resthaven Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.