Camacho family

Daniel and Lorraine Castro Camacho were well known and respected members of their East Austin (Texas) community. Both were active in politics and promoting equal education for all in Austin from the 1960s until the late 1990s.

Daniel Camacho was born in Waelder, TX on November 23, 1913 to parents Lorenzo L. Camacho and Emma Gomez. His family moved to Taylor, Texas in 1921. While living in Taylor he worked at the Speegle Bakery and the Imperial Bakery.

Lorraine Castro Camacho was born in Austin, Texas on August 21, 1917 to parents Frank Castro and Helen Fuentes. She is a descendent of Eulogio and Pilar Nave Luna, who settled in Austin in the late 1870’s. Lorraine Castro Camacho moved with her family to Taylor, Texas in 1927. She attended school there and was crowned Taylor’s 1935 Diez y Seis queen. Before her marriage she was employed at the Hub Tailor Company.

Daniel Camacho and Lorraine Castro Camacho were married in Taylor, Texas in 1940. They returned to Austin in 1950 where they raised their children Daniel Dwight (Danny), Dolores, Dolly and Darlene. Daniel Camacho was a union carpenter from the Local Carpenter Chapter 1266 and Lorraine Camacho worked for the Austin Independent School District (AISD) Food Service Department until her retirement in 1979.

Both Daniel and Lorraine Camacho firmly believed in social activism and the political process. They campaigned for Hispanic politicians such as Gonzalo Barrientos, Richard Moya and John Trevino. Mrs. Camacho was quoted in The Austin Light stressing the importance of voting: “All of my children have an education and we taught them all to vote – we don’t care how they vote, just so they vote.” (Vol. XI, No. 16)

Lorraine Camacho was most well known for her contributions to elementary education in East Austin. She was a member of the PTA beginning in 1949 and she and her husband were co-presidents of the Johnston High PTA from 1968-1970. Mrs. Camacho concentrated much of her energy toward improving the quality of education at the Metz Elementary School. Even after she retired from AISD Lorraine Camacho continued to volunteer at the school. She and her daughter Darlene Camacho Rosales helped in the promotion of the 1990 bond election to build a new Metz Elementary. Both were awarded the 1991 Austin Independent School District’s Volunteer of the Year award.

Additionally, Daniel and Lorraine Camacho were active in the effort to get the Holly Street Power Plant closed and motivate the community to do something about the increase in drugs and violence in the East Austin area. The Camachos opened up their home as a McGruff House to provide a temporary safe place for children in frightening or emergency situations. Mrs. Camacho was also involved in such Austin organizations as the East First Neighborhood Center Advisory Committee, Trustee of the Carpenters Ladies Auxiliary, Reading Is Fundamental, and Austin Salvation Army’s Home League.

In her later years Lorraine Camacho became known as “Grandma” Camacho. Her dedication to the East Austin community over the years awarded her many forms of recognition from the neighborhood, the school district, the City of Austin and the State of Texas. For example, Austin Mayor Bruce Todd proclaimed September 15, 1991 as Lorraine Castro Camacho Day to recognize her commitment to the Austin community.

Lorraine Camacho’s death on December 29, 1999 brought letters of condolences and admiration from many, including State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos and Congressman Lloyd Doggett. On September 16, 2000 the City of Austin opened the Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Center, a computer center for low-income children, in her honor.

Daniel Camacho died on July 10, 2001 in Austin.

From the guide to the Camacho Family Papers AR. 1997. 004., 1850-2005, 1955-1996, (Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, )