Louis M Padilla

Louis M Padilla, 76, passed away after a brief five week battle in the hospital on July 30th, 2019. He put up a valiant battle. He was born August 25, 1942 in Lawrence, Kansas to Pedro and Mario Padilla. He is deeply loved and missed every day by his family and friends.

Louis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1959 and after a very successful 20 year career, retired as a First Sergeant of Electronics Maintenance Company in Camp Pendleton, CA. He served in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, three tours as a Drill Instructor and a tour as the Chief Instructor of Drill Instructor School at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego California. He shaped and touched many a young man’s life during those years. He loved his Marine Corps and he was a true patriot who loved his country.

After retirement, he worked as the head of Human Resources and Management for Ace Parking in San Diego and at the airport, again taking a leadership role in training and personnel management and taking time to teach skills and work ethics in the work environment.

In December of 1982 the family moved to Gig Harbor on the Key Peninsula to be near his wife’s family. He loved the country living and peace it afforded. He worked as produce manager for Keith Uddenberg Thriftway, then went on the be partner/owner operator of Parkview Terrace Grocery with his father-in-law Dalton Trent. After 12 years the business sold and he started his final career with Alaska Airlines as a ramp service agent where he once again took his skill set of leadership, mentoring, and work ethics. He retired one last time around 2008.

Louis was a founding member of the Key Peninsula Little League, where he was a board member, coach of both girls and boys teams, and all around worker bee. He was a giving member of the community, especially with youth sports.

He coached all sports for boys and girls believing all kids deserved the opportunity not just to play but to be taught the mechanics of the sport. He was a great athlete himself and in later years was an avid pickleball player until health issues sidelined him.

He was best known for his undeniable love of Mexican food, culture, and music which he loved to share with anyone who would listen or partake. He was fun loving, had a great sense of humor, and loved to give everyone a nickname. He was full of love for his family and friends and life in general. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and was truly thankful for the gifts God gave him. His faith was a gift he gave to his family as well and we carry it with us.

Louis is preceded in death by his parents, sister Rebecca and brother Ricardo. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Lynne Padilla, sisters Lucy Gedeon of Ohio, Anontia Valdivia and Socorro DeLaFuente Silquero of Kansas; children, Miguel Padilla of Redding, CA, Catherine McMonigle of Gig Harbor, Gabriel Padilla Kirkland, Theresa Courtwright, Louie Padilla, Cindy Thompson, and Christina Lira Bronson all of Kansas and many grandchildren and many friends.

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