Ricardo Camarillo

Ricardo Cruzito Camarillo

Ricardo Camarillo, also known as "Coco," was born on December 30, 2003, to Natalie and David Camarillo. He passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at the age of 22, in Tooele, Utah, after a valiant 16-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Ricardo was born and raised in Tooele County and had just celebrated his 22nd birthday weeks before his passing—a milestone made even more precious by the challenges he faced.

If you knew Ricardo, you knew that smile: the biggest, brightest, most contagious grin that could turn any room from quiet to laughing in seconds. He lived every day with an infectious joy and an unbreakable spirit, cracking jokes and finding reasons to laugh even through intense treatments and three brain surgeries. Cancer tried to dim his light, never stood a chance.

Ricardo was a vibrant and active young man who loved nothing more than playing ball with his brothers and cousins—basketball, football, soccer, anything with a ball. He loved teasing and talking a little trash while winning (or pretending he was). He played football in high school and, growing up in a big family with tight finances, he always stayed focused, stayed clean, and stayed true to himself. One of his greatest accomplishments was the day he walked across that graduation stage with his class. Knowing he was one of the few in his family to do so, you can bet he flashed that mega-watt smile the whole way, making everyone in the stands cheer a little louder. Ricardo was an incredible dancer with moves that could steal the show. Ricardo would light up any room jamming old-school hip-hop and R&B, usually with a hilarious commentary on everyone else’s attempts to keep up. He loved food with all his heart and had a standing routine: showing up at his Tia (aunt) Nicole’s house (Natalie’s sister), poking his head in the kitchen, and asking with that cheeky grin, “So… what’s for dinner?”—then settling in to visit with grandma and grandpa who lived there.

Aunt Nicole’s home was a gathering place of love and strength for the family throughout the hardest times. He lived with his devoted mother, Natalie, in Tooele, but spent much of his time at the welcoming homes of those closest to him: his aunt Nicole’s, his girlfriend's house, and especially with his sister, Esperanza. Esperanza helped raise Ricardo and was the one he turned to whenever life threw him a curveball, a bond built on trust, love, and probably a few shared eyerolls at the rest of the family. Through it all, Ricardo's high school sweetheart stood strongly by his side, loving him faithfully until his last breath—a love story sweet enough to make even Ricardo crack a playful joke about it.

Above all, he loved his mother, Natalie, with every bit of his huge heart. She was his rock, staying strong and making the toughest decisions for him when he couldn’t, all while matching his smile with her own. Ricardo's devotion to his family shone brightest during the most difficult times. After his third brain surgery, his beloved father, David, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and kidney failure. Father and son fought their battles together, leaning on each other with quiet strength and plenty of shared laughs. In their last months, they made unforgettable memories, enjoying an amazing holiday season and one final cherished birthday—moments filled with love, light, and Ricardo’s trademark humor.

Ricardo is survived by his devoted mother, Natalie; his father, David; his siblings Tyson, Diego, Esperanza, and Alonzo; his loving girlfriend; his aunt Nicole; his grandparents; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother Leondro, his great-grandma Josephine Garcia, his grandpa Louis Denning, Grandma Maria Camarillo, and Uncle Ricky Camarillo.

Ricardo will be remembered as a young man of extraordinary resilience, kindness, joy, and love—the guy with the biggest smile and the quickest wit, who taught everyone around him to laugh a little louder, love a little deeper, dance like nobody's watching, and never let the hard days steal your light.

Service details are as follows: A funeral mass will be held on Thursday January 15, 2026, at 11am at St. Marguerite Catholic Church, 15 South 7th East, Tooele, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to the mass from 10:30-11am. A reception will follow the graveside service, where a small lunch will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Ricardo’s memory by taking the time to invest in your own health. The Camarillo family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support shown during this heartbreaking time.