PADILLA, Joe Rael

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Sunday, May 11, 2014 Joe Rael Padilla, 80, passed away 4/29/14. Born December 11, 1933, in Grants NM, Joe was the eldest of eight children born to Isidro and Cecilia Padilla. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Sarah, son Joseph and daughter-in-law Rose, brothers Frank and Isidro Padilla Jr., and sisters Mildred Diaz, Dolores Flores, Isabel Nunes, and Susan Tanner. He was preceded in death by son Jay Jude, sister Nora Martinez, and his parents. Joe’s family moved to Flagstaff AZ, and at 18, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army from which he was deployed to Korea and assigned to the 73rd Tank Battalion 7th Infantry Division. During the war, he was promoted to Platoon Sergeant, and was awarded the bronze medal. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Flagstaff and married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Martinez. He joined the Arizona National Guard, and worked at the Navajo Army Depot; when the Depot closed in 1970, Joe and family moved to Oakland CA where Joe worked at the Naval Supply Center. He transferred to the California Guard, and retired in 1992 after 42 years of service. After retirement, Joe, Mary and Sarah moved to Santa Maria CA in 1997. His son Joseph resides in San Francisco. Joe continued to be a member of the 73rd Tank Battalion association and attended a reunion every year. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Korean War Veterans Association. Joe was an excellent gardener, a gifted photographer, and a loving husband and father. He loved San Francisco 49ers football and Giants baseball teams. Services will be held Monday May 5, starting at 10:30 a.m. with viewing, rosary, and funeral Mass at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church, 1190 E Clark Ave, Santa Maria CA. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or Disabled American Veterans. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.