Joseph (Louie) Camacho, 64 : Former National City Councilman Dies

NATIONAL CITY — Longtime National City Councilman Joseph Louis Camacho, a 54-year resident of this South Bay community, died Tuesday of lung cancer.

Camacho, known in civic circles as Mr. National City but simply as Louie to his friends, was 64. He served as a city councilman from 1968 to 1984. He “was always there to vote for what was best for the city,” former Mayor Kile Morgan said.

Camacho fought back after doctors removed one of his lungs in 1980, but in April it was discovered that he had developed cancer in the remaining lung, a city spokeswoman said.

Camacho was instrumental in establishing National City’s first Little League baseball team in 1957, and he promoted the construction of National City’s two high-rise senior-citizen centers.

“He was always there to help,” said Morgan, whom Camacho challenged in the 1978 mayoral race. “He never said anything bad about me, and I never said anything bad about him.”

“He would have made a good mayor,” Morgan added.

A native of Calexico, Camacho moved with his family to National City in 1932. He lived for a time in Brick Row, a neighborhood that is now a historic district.

Camacho played on the football team at Sweetwater High School and served in New Guinea as an Army sergeant during World War II, the city spokeswoman said.

Returning home, he worked as a butcher for 30 years. Camacho also served as president of the Casa Men’s Club and was a member of the Lions Club, the American Legion and Butcher’s Union Local 229.

Earlier this year, the City Council voted to name the gymnasium at Las Palmas Park after Camacho.

He is survived by his wife, Anne; a son, Joseph III, and a daughter, Thelma Ivie, both of Los Angeles; sisters Carmen Rotzler of San Diego and Martha Staffen of San Jose, and brothers Manuel of San Diego, Hernan of Gardena, and William and Victor, both of Santa Cruz.

A Mass will be said at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church here. An inurnment service will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.