Luis Padilla

Luis Padilla passed away following an illness on January 1, 2012 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe surrounded by his family. Luis was born on December 30, 1951 in Pueblo, Colorado to Adelaido ( Lalo) Padilla and Ramona Chavez Padilla. Luis graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1969, then went on to New Mexico State University where he received his BA degree. Luis received his Masters degree from Highlands University. He worked at Highlands University until his retirement. He then went on to work for “HELP”, a state program where he in fact helped many young and troubled children work through hard times and become productive and successful citizens of New Mexico. He was successful in writing grants to provide programs for young students. He helped anyone who was underprivileged and elderly during his life. He was known throughout Northern New Mexico for his big heart and understanding of young children. He was also very involved in the family business, Lalo’s Cash and Carry in Vaughn, NM. He took care of many responsibilities along with his brother Albert Padilla and father Lalo Padilla. He most enjoyed the time he spent with this granddaughters. Luis was a kind and loving father to his daughters, Dennica and Julia. His nephews and nieces loved him and counted on him in many ways. He was the life of any party and all who knew him laughed with him. He enjoyed traveling and toured Europe, Mexico, South America, and the United States. His favorite place was San Francisco and he visited there often. He was a active member of NCLA and LULAC and attended their National Conventions yearly. Luis was preceded in death by his wife Rosie Barela, his mother Ramona Padilla, grandparents Leandro and Betty Cordova and Albert and Margarita Chavez. He is survived by his life companion Dolores Maldonado, and his daughters Julia and Dennica and her husband Matthew Torres, his father Lalo Padilla, brother Albert Padilla and wife Debora, His grandchildren are Darion Rose, Ciana Rose, Enmarae Rose and Amara Rose. His nieces Annie Padilla, Erica Padilla, Janelle Navaro and husband Rudy, and nephew Sammy Padilla, His aunt Sonia and husband Timothy Raftery and their children Hiram Morales, Eliza Romero and husband Mike Romero and their twins Adezra and Andrew. John Maldonado and his sons Andrew, Ayden, and Ayven. His cousin Maguin Padilla, who was like a brother to him and Maguin’s children Ernest and Eric Padilla and Tammy Neese. He is also survived by numerous other extended family members, relatives, and friends. Funeral services are being provided by Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. A private family rosary will be held at the mortuary chapel on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. A public rosary service will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa. The Funeral Mass for Luis Padilla will be celebrated on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vaughn, N.M. with burial to follow at the Vaughn Cemetery. A reception dinner will be held at the Vaughn City Hall following the services. An on line registry can be accessed at chavezfuneralhome.com