Emilio Camacho Hernandez, 78, of Burlington, Iowa, passed away on February 12, 2026, at the HCA Houston Health Care Northwestern Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was born on May 22, 1947, in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. He was the son of Pascual and Alberta Maria (Camacho) Hernandez.
Emilio left Mexico for the United States to find a better way of life. He met Rosa Gonzalez in Michigan in the summer of 1965 and married her on June 27, 1966, in Hysham, Montana. She survives. For over 60 years, they were constant companions and each other's best friends.
Even though Emilio left Mexico as a young man, he never left it in his heart. He still felt he was Mexican. He thought like a Mexican. He taught his family about their roots in Mexico by telling them stories and taking them back to Mexico on family trips. His children grew up knowing different cultures and different ways of life. They are first-generation American citizens.
Emilio only attended school in Mexico until the 6th grade. Still, he obtained his GED in the United States and later an associate's degree in applied science in Diesel Mechanics from Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Emilio worked for J. I. Case for twenty-five years and retired in 1994. He was mechanically inclined and enjoyed working on cars. He loved world history and current politics. He was a voracious reader and a news watcher. He loved debating anyone with an opposing opinion. He was also a lover of music, a love which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. He taught them they could find solace and healing in a song.
Emilio also loved his past pets. Bolis, Fluffy, BJ, Sheba, Hagar, Chelsea, Smokey, Tucker, and Hou Hou (Wow Wow). He loved spoiling them and giving them treats.
Emilio was a pillar of strength for his entire family, including his extended family from Mexico. In the 1970's, Emilio helped many of them move to the United States to find a better way of life. Emilio believed in the American Dream. He believed he achieved it. He believed in hard work and education. Emilio was a man of integrity and honesty. He knew that faith and education were the keys to success, and he always encouraged his children to trust the Lord, study hard, and never settle for less; always strive for more. Emilio's time spent with his children and grandchildren brought him the most joy. They were his greatest pride.
Emilio lived a full life and took on each day as a challenge. His final years were spent with his wife and daughter, Angelica, in Houston, Texas. They spent their free time traveling, watching movies, dining out, and attending concerts. He was on the go until the end.
He is survived by his wife Rosa; three children: Angelica Hernandez of Houston, Texas, Ruben (Erika) Hernandez of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Maricela (Mark) Wilkinson of Fulshear, Texas; ten grandchildren: Andrew Knox, Max (Des) Hernandez, Skyler (Whitney) Hernandez, Shaela Hernandez, Brendan Hernandez, Raegan Hernandez, Daylen Hernandez, Sara Wilkinson, Sophia Wilkinson and Sam Wilkinson; two great grandchildren Declan Hernandez and Rayne Hernandez and one more great granddaughter on the way; two sisters: Hilda Hernandez of Peoria, Illinois and Reyna Gonzalez of Baytown, Texas. Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews also survive him.
To the Gonzalez family, who took him in as one of their own in 1965. He loved and cherished you all his entire life and will for eternity.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings: Efigino Hernandez, Francisco Hernandez, Estella Apantenco, and Juan Ramirez.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Emilio will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 23, 2026 at John's Catholic Church with Father Jacob Greiner as celebrant. The burial will be held in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call at 12:00 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Lunning Chapel. The visitation for Emilio will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., where the family will meet with friends. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. with family to share stories following.