Senon A Castillo

Senon A. “Baldy” Castillo, 90, went to sleep with the angels on January 31, 2009, with his family by his side. Baldy was born January 19, 1919 in Phoenix to Carlos and Natividad Ortega Castillo. He excelled as an athlete at Phoenix Union High School and Phoenix College. He served in the Navy as Chief Petty Officer from 1942 to 1946. After the Navy he attended Arizona State University and graduated with a degree in education. He served as head Track and Field Coach at Arizona State University from 1953-1979. He led his student athletes to 10 NCAA titles and coached 34 All-Americans. 24 of his athletes competed in eight Summer Olympics and collected 13 Olympic medals, seven of which were gold. One of his greatest accomplishments was when his team won the Track and Field national Championship in l977. After winning the championship he was dunked in the steeple chase water jump and in a typical “Baldy” fashion he addressed his athletes with “Gentlemen” it’s been a pleasure”. He was highly honored throughout the Track and Field community. He was an inductee in the Oklahoma State Field of Track and Field Hall of Honor, Penn Relays and Drake Relays Hall of Fame, national Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Arizona Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame and ASU Hall of Distinction. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Leona, son David Susan, daughter Claudia Jim Foster granddaughters Megan David Ramirez, Missy Dana Malone, grandsons Garrett Samantha Foster and Adam Foster. Great-grandchildren Marissa, Lauren, Marcus and Sydney Ramirez, Mia and Isabelle Malone, Scarlett Foster and sister Anna Duran. A Vigil Service will be held Thursday, February 5, from 6:00-8:00pm, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be held Friday at 11:00am at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Baldy’s name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix.

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