ProRodeo Sports News - January 8, 2021

IN MEMORIAM ... LEO CAMARILLO

Legend Passes

PRCA ProRodeo file photo ProRodeo Hall of Famer Leo Camarillo acknowledges the crowd at the 2011 NFR at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Hall of Famer Camarillo left his mark on ProRodeo

BY TRACY RENCK P roRodeo Hall of Famer Leo Camarillo passed away Dec. 30 at the age of 74 in Chandler, Ariz. The five-time world champion was included in the inaugural ProRodeo Hall of Fame class in 1979 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Nicknamed the Lion because of his fierce competitiveness, Camarillo and his younger brother,

Leo and Jerold revolutionized team roping as

heelers.

Leo won the all-around title in 1975 to go with four world titles in team roping (1972-73, 1975 and 1983). He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 20 times (1968-86 and 1988), while Jerold qualified for the NFR 17 times (1968-83, 1985-86) and won a world title in 1969. Leo won the NFR team roping average a PRCA-

record six times – 1968-71, 1980 and 1982. He also was a star in the PRCA circuit system, winning the all-around title in the California Circuit in 1976-77, 1980-82, team roping in 1976-77, 1982 and tie-down roping in 1976, and winning a team roping title in the Texas Circuit in 1983. Leo created and perfected a polished style of heeling steers. An excellent horseman, Camarillo, born Jan. 25, 1946, in Santa Ana, Calif., roped off his horse named Super Stick, which many pros thought unsuitable

Jerold, also a ProRodeo Hall of Famer, learned to rope from their father, Ralph, a champion roper in California before transitioning to raising stock. Leo grew up in California’s scenic Santa Ynez Valley. “I’ve never seen a man who loved that sport so much,” said Jerold, 73. “He dedicated himself to go to rodeos and learn new things. Then, we would come home and try it here, and he loved the whole sport, and he loved all the cowboys.”

ProRodeo Sports News 1/8/2021

ProRodeo.com

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