Baptized as Basilio Castro, the son of Jose "Joe" Castro and Maria Paulina "Tia Maria" Espinosa, "Coyote" was how he was known to friends and family. He, along with his 6 Castro siblings, and 2 Rivas half siblings were all born and raised in Firebaugh, Fresno County, CA.
A colorful guy, Coyote was a Rodeo Champion and roadshow performer. He got his name because of his wandering habits, especially at night. One wandering night with too much to drink caused his death. He was found the next morning only steps away from his front door where he had passed out...he froze to death.
From his obit in the Fresno Bee, 27 Jan 1957:
ExChampion Cowboy Dies in Firebaugh
"...the world champion bronc rider about 30 years ago. Castro, a native and lifelong resident of Firebaugh, was found dead Saturday near his home at 1353 South N Street. Relatives recalled Castro won the riding title at the Pendleton, Ore., Roundup in the middle 1920s. In the same era he won the bronc riding contest at the San Francisco Diamond Jubilee. He served in the 2nd Field Artillery, Battery A in World War I...."
The obit goes on with:"He was a descendant of an early California Spanish family. His mother formerly held an old grant in the Chowchilla district which she sold some time ago to the Miller-Lux interests...."
Coyote was survived by two sisters, Mrs. Lucille Davis of Hayward, Alameda County, CA and Mrs Domie Mello of Hollister, San Benito County, along with two brothers, Ben Castro of Stockton, and Mariano Castro of Firebaugh.
A Rosary was recited at the Thorpe Chapel in Kerman, with a Mass celebrated at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Firebaugh.
Bio provided by Sheila Ruiz Harrell with help from Nancy
A colorful guy, Coyote was a Rodeo Champion and roadshow performer. He got his name because of his wandering habits, especially at night. One wandering night with too much to drink caused his death. He was found the next morning only steps away from his front door where he had passed out...he froze to death.
From his obit in the Fresno Bee, 27 Jan 1957:
ExChampion Cowboy Dies in Firebaugh
"...the world champion bronc rider about 30 years ago. Castro, a native and lifelong resident of Firebaugh, was found dead Saturday near his home at 1353 South N Street. Relatives recalled Castro won the riding title at the Pendleton, Ore., Roundup in the middle 1920s. In the same era he won the bronc riding contest at the San Francisco Diamond Jubilee. He served in the 2nd Field Artillery, Battery A in World War I...."
The obit goes on with:"He was a descendant of an early California Spanish family. His mother formerly held an old grant in the Chowchilla district which she sold some time ago to the Miller-Lux interests...."
Coyote was survived by two sisters, Mrs. Lucille Davis of Hayward, Alameda County, CA and Mrs Domie Mello of Hollister, San Benito County, along with two brothers, Ben Castro of Stockton, and Mariano Castro of Firebaugh.
A Rosary was recited at the Thorpe Chapel in Kerman, with a Mass celebrated at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Firebaugh.
Bio provided by Sheila Ruiz Harrell with help from Nancy
Baptized as Basilio Castro, the son of Jose "Joe" Castro and Maria Paulina "Tia Maria" Espinosa, "Coyote" was how he was known to friends and family. He, along with his 6 Castro siblings, and 2 Rivas half siblings were all born and raised in Firebaugh, Fresno County, CA.
A colorful guy, Coyote was a Rodeo Champion and roadshow performer. He got his name because of his wandering habits, especially at night. One wandering night with too much to drink caused his death. He was found the next morning only steps away from his front door where he had passed out...he froze to death.
From his obit in the Fresno Bee, 27 Jan 1957:
ExChampion Cowboy Dies in Firebaugh
"...the world champion bronc rider about 30 years ago. Castro, a native and lifelong resident of Firebaugh, was found dead Saturday near his home at 1353 South N Street. Relatives recalled Castro won the riding title at the Pendleton, Ore., Roundup in the middle 1920s. In the same era he won the bronc riding contest at the San Francisco Diamond Jubilee. He served in the 2nd Field Artillery, Battery A in World War I...."
The obit goes on with:"He was a descendant of an early California Spanish family. His mother formerly held an old grant in the Chowchilla district which she sold some time ago to the Miller-Lux interests...."
Coyote was survived by two sisters, Mrs. Lucille Davis of Hayward, Alameda County, CA and Mrs Domie Mello of Hollister, San Benito County, along with two brothers, Ben Castro of Stockton, and Mariano Castro of Firebaugh.
A Rosary was recited at the Thorpe Chapel in Kerman, with a Mass celebrated at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Firebaugh.
Bio provided by Sheila Ruiz Harrell with help from Nancy
A colorful guy, Coyote was a Rodeo Champion and roadshow performer. He got his name because of his wandering habits, especially at night. One wandering night with too much to drink caused his death. He was found the next morning only steps away from his front door where he had passed out...he froze to death.
From his obit in the Fresno Bee, 27 Jan 1957:
ExChampion Cowboy Dies in Firebaugh
"...the world champion bronc rider about 30 years ago. Castro, a native and lifelong resident of Firebaugh, was found dead Saturday near his home at 1353 South N Street. Relatives recalled Castro won the riding title at the Pendleton, Ore., Roundup in the middle 1920s. In the same era he won the bronc riding contest at the San Francisco Diamond Jubilee. He served in the 2nd Field Artillery, Battery A in World War I...."
The obit goes on with:"He was a descendant of an early California Spanish family. His mother formerly held an old grant in the Chowchilla district which she sold some time ago to the Miller-Lux interests...."
Coyote was survived by two sisters, Mrs. Lucille Davis of Hayward, Alameda County, CA and Mrs Domie Mello of Hollister, San Benito County, along with two brothers, Ben Castro of Stockton, and Mariano Castro of Firebaugh.
A Rosary was recited at the Thorpe Chapel in Kerman, with a Mass celebrated at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Firebaugh.
Bio provided by Sheila Ruiz Harrell with help from Nancy
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