Jose Olallo Castillo, M.D.

Jose Olallo Castillo, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, godfather, friend, and esteemed general surgeon, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024, at the age of 85 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family at his home in El Paso, TX.

The sixth of nine siblings, he was born on July 26, 1938, in Sabinas, Coahuila, Mexico. Olallo was the epitome of dedication and compassion throughout his remarkable life. He served his country as a captain in the United States Air Force for two honorable years before embarking on his illustrious medical career. Graduating from La Universidad de Nuevo León in 1964 with a degree in Medicine, he pursued his passion for surgery, completing his general surgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan in 1968.

Olallo truly found his calling in medicine. He loved every minute of being a doctor, finding deep fulfillment in helping others. Renowned as an excellent clinician, his expertise extended beyond general surgery; he seemed to know about everything medical. People would frequently seek his advice or opinion, recognizing his wisdom and insight. Furthermore, Olallo took great pleasure in sharing his vast knowledge with students and residents, inspiring the next generation of medical professionals with his passion and dedication.

For decades, Olallo served the El Paso community as a revered general surgeon, touching countless lives with his skill, empathy, and warmth. His patients revered him, his peers esteemed him, and the medical staff adored him. Known for his infectious laughter and charming smile, Olallo always had a story to tell. His tales, though often highly embellished, never failed to bring joy and laughter to those around him. Even during his illness, he continued to share his humor, brightening the spirits of everyone in his presence. Olallo's ability to find laughter in the midst of hardship was a testament to his resilience and unwavering positivity, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Olallo met the love of his life, Silvia, in high school, and their love story began. They married after graduating from medical school and shared 62 beautiful years together, raising a loving family and creating cherished memories.

After retiring from medicine, Olallo embraced a life of travel and spent precious moments with his children and grandchildren. He journeyed across the globe with Silvia, his beloved "prieta", sometimes accompanied by their children and grandchildren and other times with their dear friends. Through it all, his zest for life never waned, and he cherished every moment of adventure and exploration.

Olallo leaves behind his devoted wife Silvia, his children Silvia Ortega (Tony), Jose Castillo Jr. (Rita), Jenny Chmielecki (Mike), and Eduardo Castillo (Tina), as well as his adoring grandchildren: Christopher, Jacob, Isabella, Alex, Sabrina, Julianna, Olivia, Nico, Cristian, and Jocelyn.

The Castillo family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the medical professionals who provided exceptional care during Olallo's illness, especially Dr. Alfonso Chavez, Dr. Arsenio Lopez, Dr. Anuradha Gupta, and Dr. Abraham Gonzalez, along with the compassionate nurses at Sierra Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White in Ft. Worth, TX, the staff of Urgent Care Hospice and his caregivers Daniel and Nena.

Visitation will be held at Martin Funeral Home West on March 1, 2024, from 5:00-9:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 6 p.m. A Funeral Mass to celebrate Olallo’s life will take place at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 400 W. Sunset Rd, on March 2, 2024, at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Siguiendo Los Pasos de Jesús, SPJ Inc. (www.spjinc.org), a cause dear to Olallo's heart, or your favorite charity.

Jose Olallo Castillo will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his unwavering love, generosity, and the profound impact he made on the lives of those around him. May he rest in peace, knowing he leaves behind a legacy of compassion and kindness that will endure for generations to come.