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Fort Stockton Says Goodbye to “Quilo”
Fort Stockton Says Goodbye to “Quilo” 1/21/13
mrist@ cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
January 21, 2012
FORT STOCKTON— It's the story of a Fort Stockton man and his varsity blue bird bus, but its more than that. It's the story of his legacy.
Baldomero Quilo opened his bus doors to students for nearly 20 years.
"He always did for others before he did for himself," said granddaughter Jennifer Castillo.
With a kind heart, a big smile and an unforgettable whistle "Quilo" was a fixture in the lives of family and students alike.
"You'll always remember that smile and enthusiasm,” said Mimi Sena, Fort Stockton High School Athletic Director. “You just can’t find the words.If you didn't even know him one second, you felt like you’d known him all your life. He’s just got that magnetic personality."
Quilo was a big Panthers fan, he went to almost every game. For Mia Duarte, it was Quilo who pushed her through the game.
“We’d hear his whistle, you know he’s got that whiste, and we’d be looking and looking everywhere and he’d be right over there,” said Panther High School Student Athlete Mia Duarte. “He would always stand up and say, ‘Girls you got it! Today is your day!’”
Quilo passed away last Thursday at age 69 after battling cancer. His casket was covered with sports memorabilia --and a very special gift from one young man he drove to the Special Olympics.
“A good friend went away and we want to give this honor to him, because he means a lot to us,” said Israel Carrasco.
Horns sounding, his varsity blue bird bus--usually packed with cheerleaders heading to the game, is headed for the funeral home, to say goodbye. A line of dozens of school buses rode out to the funeral home to see Quilo for one last time.
His legacy will live on, with story after story of how Quilo made his mark on the community. Panther high honored Quilo with a moment of silence at Friday’s game and a banner made by the students.
"It comforts us to know that we loved him but to know that other people also loved him, it really comforts us,” said Castillo.