Eulalio Montalvo “Lalo” Camarillo

Eulalio Montalvo “Lalo” Camarillo of Midland, Texas passed away on July 16, 2025 at 94 years of age. He had been a resident of the Big Spring VA Hospital for the last several years.

Lalo was born on August 6, 1930, in Combes, Texas to Petra Montalvo and Eugenio Camarillo. He and his siblings lived briefly in Sebastian before moving to Santa Rosa where his father ran a gas station, a grocery store and a bakery. Lalo excelled in high school sports, and in his senior year was the captain of the school’s football, basketball and baseball teams. After high school graduation, Lalo enlisted in the Army and served in the Korean War. When he returned home, he married his high school sweetheart, Berta Sanchez.

When they had met years before at a high school dance, Lalo’s teammates wagered that he wouldn’t ask Berta to dance. He won that bet. She had seven siblings, several of whom would accompany her when Lalo would take her out. He later joked that he married her just to get her alone for a minute.

In 1955, he and Berta moved their two children to Midland to begin his career in law enforcement. He was the second Spanish speaking officer with the Midland Police Department and frequently worked with the courts to provide bilingual assistance. In those early years, he built a photography darkroom in his small home on Ruby Street to provide forensic support for the department.

Lalo later earned his associate degree and was promoted to Sergeant. He eventually headed the department’s Crime Prevention Unit, a position he held until his retirement in January 1993.

An outdoorsman at heart, Lalo was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed many hobbies including numismatics, photography, taxidermy, and treasure hunting, especially in the Mexican desert. He would occasionally swim the Rio Grande to a small village where he and a friend would investigate tales of hidden treasure.

Since the early 1950’s, he and Berta lovingly gave their time and efforts to St. Ann’s Church where he joined the Knights of Columbus. The two delivered Meals on Wheels and worked with Saint Vincent de Paul to donate to the needy in Mexico. Lalo gave generously to FOP and the police department, and gave funding and support to Safe Place, a local shelter for battered women and children. Through the years, Lalo worked with and supported nineteen civic organizations in Midland.

Before her passing in 2024, Berta and Lalo were happily married for 74 years. Lalo is preceded in death by his wife and dance partner Berta, as well as his siblings Enrique, Eva and Francisco, his half-brother Eugenio, his departed grandchildren, Jeffery & Zachary Boruff, Rachel Landau-Camarillo, and great grandson, Brooks Mauermann. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Diane (Scott) Boruff, Ceasar (Tamar) Camarillo, Cynthia (Michael) Harrell, and Carlos (Sarah) Camarillo. Also, his grandchildren Lindsay Mauermann, Kayla, Jennifer Spencer, Dave, Audrey and Hannah Camarillo, Noa and Miriam Landau-Camarillo, Jeremiah Blair, and great grandchildren Owen Brownson, Nora and Cullen Spencer, and Miah Blair.

When he first met Berta on the night his teammates wagered that he wouldn’t ask her to dance, they were just kids, full of promise and hope. Decades later on the day before he died, he told his daughter Cyndye that he was going to take Berta to the dance. He said he wanted to go home. She told him that if he wanted to go, that his family would be ok and not to worry. He passed peacefully that morning. He had a dance to go to.

Lalo was a humble, unassuming man who will forever be remembered for his even temperament, non-judgmental manner, and unconditional kindness. He taught his children the values of family unity, responsibility, compassion and fortitude through fearless, personal example.

A rosary and eulogy will be held at St. Ann’s Church, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 7:00 pm.  Services will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Graveside service with honors will be conducted at Ellis/Resthaven Cemetery; reception at Ellis Hospitality Room. Everyone is welcome.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

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