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06/02/2020 - Bakersfield, CA, USA

Izturitze, Baxenabarre, February 14, 1939
Bakersfield, California, June 2, 2020

See here a video tribute to Isidore.

This is the obituary published by The Press-Enterprise, Legacy.com on June 21st, 2020:

Born on February 14, 1939, in Isturitz, France to Arnaud and Marie Camou, Isidore passed away on June 2, 2020.

After serving in the French Army during the Algerian War, he came to the United States in 1961 and milked cows in Chino and San Jacinto until 1966, when he returned to France to marry. In 1968 with his bride, Marie Claire Bidegaray, he settled in Corona to continue milking cows for what was supposed to be a "three year honeymoon" in America to save enough money to return back to the old country. In 1976, he purchased The Farm House Motel in Riverside and raised his family in the business he operated for 32 years. He was so proud to provide his five children the opportunity of an education and to see each one of them graduate from the University of California, Riverside. We often would say that the mountain in the background of the campus had a C on it for Camou. In 2017, he moved to Chino to be closer to his second home the Chino Basque Club and the Basque Community.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marie Claire, sons Francois (Lisa), Alain (Danielle), Patrick (Christiane), Dominique (Vanessa) and daughter Louise Camou. He leaves behind eleven beloved grandchildren Daniel, Juliette, Eric, Elisa, Gabriella, Sophia, Amelia, Cristian, Maylis, Giselle and Adrian Camou. He will be also missed by his sisters Marie Jeanne Curutchet-Etchart and Lucie Begorre, brother-in-law Jean Arretche, sisters-in-law Eliane Camou, Odette Bidegaray (Raymond), Monique Goni (Jean Baptiste), and Christine Bidegaray, and many nephews and nieces both in California and France. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Pierre Leon, sister Marie Therese Etcheverry and brother-in-law Erramun Etcheverry, brother Antoine Camou, sister Josephine Arretche, brothers-in-law Jean Baptiste Begorre, Dominique Curutchet- Etchart, Leon Bidegaray and Jeannot Bidegaray.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral will be private. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date when travel and large gatherings are considered safe. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Chino Basque Club, P.O. Box 1080, Chino, CA 91710 or www.liverfoundation.org

Words written by Louise, Isidore's daughter on June 3rd:

This morning, I woke up in my “big girl” bed, which Aita bought for his little girl many years ago, and I started to hope that perhaps this all didn’t happen. As a family, we have shared many wonderful days together but yesterday was a very sad day for us.

Aita, February 14, 1939-June 2, 2020.

You were always such a strong man, but the cancer was too much and now the Good Lord has called you home. You were surrounded by the family you and Ama created. The seven of us spent the last twelve days together in small quarters as if we were back living in the manager’s unit at the Farm House Motel. It was nostalgic and loving. We got to hold your hand, share stories, share meals, laugh and cry, sing Basque songs, pray with Father Antton and Father Craig, watch old westerns and several game shows. You always liked when everyone won a little in Wheel of Fortune.

Isidore & Marie Claire surrounded by their kids: a family

You were a simple man, a kind man, a loving man. You taught us all the importance of working hard, being there for the family and serving others. You were proud of the Basque community you helped build and maintain in Chino. Your infectious smile, laughter, story telling and perfectly timed one liners are some of the many things we will miss. You were a man of faith and we are comforted knowing you have joined your siblings and many other family members and friends who have gone before you. We love you Aita!

Thank you family and friends for all of your love and support. We are grateful for you all! ❤️ On behalf of the Camou Family, we love you all. @ Bakersfield, California

Goian Bego Isidore Camou.