Martin Z. Camargo, Sr. was called home at the age of 83 by the Lord, prior to the dawn of December 19, 2015, with his loving family at his side. Born in Rodriguez, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Camargo and Dolores Zapata; his brothers Jose, Indalecio, Alberto, and Rafael; sisters-in-law: Mercedes Valencia Cruz, and Olga Nidia Camargo; and furry four-legged granddaughter, Sassy. Martin is survived by his cherished wife of 53 years, Mrs. Judi Valencia Camargo; daughter, Judy Camargo; sons, Martin Camargo, Jr., Rafael Camargo and wife Christine, and Paul Camargo; 5 grandchildren: Mercedez Alcorta and husband Michael, Alexander Camargo, Kristen Garcia, Amanda Garcia, and Leah Camargo; 6 great-grandchildren: Benjamin Camargo, Isabela Alcorta, Angel Herrera, Andrew Herrera, Leah Camargo, and Emma Alcorta; sister, Antonia Aguilar and husband Antonio; brother, Juan Camargo of Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico; sisters-in-law: Lourdes Valencia, Socorro Valencia, and Benigna Valencia, all of Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico; brothers-in-law: Fidel Valencia, Martin Valencia, and Manuel Valencia and wife Lucia, all of Villahermosa, Tabasco; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends; and his much-loved Chihuahua, Willie.

With his most proud accomplishment being the family he formed with his beloved wife, in particular treasuring the time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Martin also delighted in his unique 1968 Volkswagen, double-cab pickup truck, working tireless hours to ensure the vehicle was in optimal conditions for family trips to Tabasco, Mexico. A construction laborer during the majority of his life, Martin was a proud life-long member of the Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 154. Martin relished in recounting to others about the time in 1955, when as a member of the crews constructing the highway system along the Southern region of the Gulf Coast of Mexico, he was operating an excavator when he came across a colossal stone representation of a human head sculpted from large boulders by the Olmec civilization of ancient Mesoamerica. Two Olmec head boulders, along with numerous other artifacts and structures, all dating before 900 B.C., were unearthed as a result of Martin's excavation discovery. While one Olmec stone head was commissioned to the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, Martin was charged with transporting the second colossal head boulder, which is now officially known as Monument 1, to its new and current location, at the Parque Museo La Venta, in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico. Martin was deeply loved by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and his kind nature and generous spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The funeral procession will depart from the funeral home on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, for a 9:15 a.m. Mass of the Resurrection at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Interment will be at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park located at 1701 Austin Highway.