Obituary of Julian Padilla Jr.

Julian Padilla Jr. has fallen asleep in the lord, awaiting his Savior and brother Christ’s return. 

He graduated from University of Denver School of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree, he was the MALSA president and received the National Fellowship Award. He graduated from the College of Saint Joseph in Albuquerque, where he was a student senator and scholarship award recipient. He graduated from El Rito Highschool where he was the student body president and Boys State athlete. 

During President Kennedy and President Johnson’s administration, he served as the Director of Community Action Programs throughout Albuquerque, New Mexico. He assisted Cesar Chavez in helping migrants achieve a better standard of living. He was selected as an advisor by President Jimmy Carter. He participated as a board member in numerous national, state, county, city, and municipal boards. He was one of the founders of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.  He was an elected official to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments, Municipal Trustee and Mayor Pro Temp of the Village of Los Ranchos. He founded the Peanut Butter and Jelly daycare program. He was a weekly minister at thirteen different assisted living facilities in Albuquerque, NM. He was a spiritual ambassador in South America. He was invited to teach in other places across the globe, including Africa. He taught the word of the Lord with boldness to everyone he met, no matter where he was.    

He is predeceased by his father, Julian Padilla Sr. and his mother Susana Padilla, his brothers, Sylvestre Padilla, Clemente Padilla, Pablo Padilla. He is survived by his sisters Clara Padilla-Andrews, Grace Padilla, Demecia Csanyi, Bernadette Padilla and brother Rafael Padilla. He is survived by his virtuous wife of fifty-eight years, Anita R. Padilla, his daughter Janet R. Padilla and spouse Paul Lucero, his son Julian Padilla III and spouse Cara Padilla, his daughter Maria I. Padilla and spouse Christopher Tafoya, and his daughter Christina Padilla-Valencia and spouse Christopher Valencia. His grandchildren, LouAnne Padilla, Kennie Lynn Padilla, Dylan Paul Lucero, Katie Valencia, Julian Padilla IV and his spouse Alyssa Padilla, Dominic Felipe Lucero and his spouse Brianna Lucero, Isabella Christina Montoya, Anita Marie Padilla, Alejandro Tafoya, Jose Padilla-Lopez, Kobe Valencia and great-grandchild Kara Marie Atwood. 

Julian Padilla Jr. personal statement: 

“In conclusion, I have lived a life most people only dream, want, and desire. I am completely satisfied.”