Mario Campos

Mercedes- Mario Campos, 63, passed away on Wednesday, February 15th, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen. Mario was born on October 12th, 1959, to Primitivo and Isaura (Duenes) Campos in Mercedes, Texas. Mario was the 7th born child of eight children, the youngest boy. 

Mario and his siblings grew up in Mercedes. Mario played football for the Mercedes Tigers and remained loyal to his alma mater. In addition, Mario attended Pan American University. 

Mario met his soulmate, Diana Aurora Aleman, when they were both in their early twenties, and it was love at first sight. Mario and Diana were married on October 20th, 1990, at St. Joseph the Woodworker Catholic Church in McAllen.

Mario worked in retail for some time but spent most of his career at CarWash CarWash in Weslaco. 

He worked hard so that Diana could stay home with their two daughters. Little did they know how priceless that time would be when Diana’s untimely death caught them by surprise in 2003. 

Mario never remarried and raised his daughters as a single dad from that time forward. Mario was a great father. He and his daughters were movie buffs. They went to the theatre often, but on payday, Mario would take the girls shopping, and they would usually get a snack and a new movie. 

Mario supported the Mercedes Tigers, and Friday Night Lights never got old. So, when his daughters joined the band, he was the ever-supportive dad and never missed a performance. 

Mario loved to barbecue and got together with friends and family. Over the years, he became a Master at the art of good barbecue. His wings were mouthwatering. Mario was also a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, never missing a game. 

Mario was also very artistic. He had a folder where he kept his drawings. Mario also took up photography and loved taking pictures. 

Mario was full of life and would light up any room with his happy-go-lucky personality. He always had a funny joke or story that would make everyone around him smile. 

Mario is preceded in death by his parents, Primitivo Sr. and Isaura Campos, his wife, Diana Aurora Campos.

He is survived by his daughters, Danielle Nicole Campos (John Garcia) and Alejandra “Alex” Dominique Campos, siblings, Joe Campos (Bertha), Maria S. Fuentes (Juan+), Augustina Ortega (Juan), Carmelita Martinez (Lupe), Primitivo “Primo” Campos Jr. (Sara), Rodolfo “Rudy” Campos (Idalia), and Becky Munoz (Armando), and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be Friday, February 24th, from 10am-9 pm, with a rosary at 7 pm, at McCaleb Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 25th, at 10am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mercedes, followed by burial at Sacred Park Cemetery.