Dennis Padilla Sr.

Dennis Richard Padilla – July 21, 1937 – March 12, 2023
Our loving father, Dennis Padilla, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023 in the peace of his home. Born in San Rafael, NM in 1937, he was the youngest of six.  Dad lived a long and full life of love, family and faith.  He loved his mother, our Grandma Reyes, with all his heart and soul and often referred to her as a saint.  She was his foundation.
Born at home, birthed by a midwife, Dad had a humble beginning. He would say “we didn’t know we were poor because everyone was”.  Dad lived with his mother, brothers and sisters in a small wood floor home, about a mile or two from town.  Dad’s older siblings moved away at early ages, but San Rafael was always home.   As a young boy, Dad did his homework by the light of an oil lamp and the heat from a wood stove.  Grandma Reyes’ home didn’t have running water or electricity for a long while, but that’s how life was then.  Dad would say even though they didn’t have much, or if they felt hungry, “mom” would make sure there was always something to eat, even if it was just a cherry pie baked for that day.  Grandma Reyes, through words and actions, taught him the meaning of family and faith.
The youngest of the siblings, Dad and his brother Bailey spent their time always together and learned to speak English in grade school. They often felt the smack of a ruler on the back of their hand when they mispronounced certain words.  Dad learned pretty quickly how to talk himself out of just about anything.  Life wasn’t easy in San Rafael, but throughout our lives, Dad always said “nobody said it was going to be easy.” Even when it was hard, Dad showed us we always had each other, we had our family and our faith.
Dad loved his brothers, sisters and cousins with all his heart, as family was everything. It was one for all and all for one, no matter what.  And even though everyone married and moved away, the family ties were never broken. Dad freely and generously shared that immense love with his children, nephews, nieces, cousins, grandchildren, great nephews and nieces, great grandchildren and his closest friends. That is his legacy.
Whether you called him Dad, Pops, Uncle Dennis, Gramps, Abuelo, Grandpa “Dentist” or Dennis, he had a way to make you feel special.  Dad had a special and unique relationship with those he loved and those who loved him.  Ask anyone who knew him and they all have a story, or stories, of how he made them feel loved, accepted and special.  It is a rare gift to feel such love, but Dad knew how to make everyone feel it.  We are eternally grateful.
Grandma Reyes moved to Los Lunas, NM when she became the Valencia County Assessor, and Dad graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1956.  In 1959 Dad married a young Irish redhead who caught his eye and his love, our mother Patricia. It was kind of like Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball.  The young couple lived in Gallup, NM in the early 60’s and over the years they had six children, five sons and one daughter. It wasn’t unusual to have nieces or nephews stay with them through summers or during school, because family was everything, and this is how it was.  Dad and Mom moved to Albuquerque in 1962 following the passing of his beloved mother, our Grandma Reyes.  Family and faith.
Dad was no stranger to work.  He started working with Tom’s Foods in Albuquerque when he was just 13 putting away merchandise and sweeping floors.  He and Mom eventually bought the Tom’s Distributorship in Santa Fe in 1966 and moved his family north. Dad and Mom built their business over 50 years.  To this day, Santa Fe Tom’s is still in the Padilla Family, now run by his first-born son, Dennis Ray.
Dad kept his strong work ethic continuing to work until his early 80’s as an Assistant Sergeant at Arms in the New Mexico House of Representatives where he remains loved and respected by all.  Dad had a full life, a life of family and faith.
Throughout his life it was Dad’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that kept his life meaningful.  With six kids and three grandchildren in Santa Fe, Dad never missed a recital, a game, a performance, graduation, or any celebration that included his family.  He was always there.  He was a St. Michael’s High School Booster Club member and if you grew up in Santa Fe in the 60’s, 70’s 80’s, 90’s and beyond, as a kid you drank Coca Cola, ate Tom’s Peanuts and Potato Chips, enjoyed 31 Flavors Ice cream and used a Ford for your Homecoming parade.  Family is everything.
Dad passed away quietly in his sleep the morning of March 12.  Before he passed, Dad was blessed by his eldest loving son who cared for him every day, his daughter who made sure he had all his prescriptions, never missed a doctor appointment and made sure he had what he needed while at rehab, and his second eldest son who shared his last breath.  Dad was also blessed with time with his sons Chris, Jerry and Michael who made their way home to share memories and laughs, his grandchildren Melissa, Scott, and Matthew who held his hand one more time, and his cousin Anne who came with a hug, a smile and countless memories.   We cherish our family and our faith, and we are his legacy.  Thank you, Dad, for all you are, all you did for all of us, and for being the man in our world who taught us about the importance of family and faith.
The Padilla family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to all those who cared for our Dad during his illness – all those who cleaned his hospital rooms, nurses and nurses’ aides who provided such loving care and guidance, the doctors whose skilled hands performed surgeries, and the Presbyterian hospice team who not only cared for him, but prayed with us and gave us unending support.
Dennis is survived by our mom Patricia Padilla; Children, Dennis Ray, Cindy (Mark), Randy, Chris, Jerry (Christy); Michael; Grandchildren, Melissa (Supo), Scott, Matthew (Marielle), Dayton, Jaxon, Nyah, and Isaiah; Great grandchildren Izaura, Jai, Zeke, Xavier, and Xander; Cousin Anne Cde Baca, and countless nieces and nephews who love him dearly.

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Dennis Padilla Sr. Obituary | Keeper Memorials