(March 27, 1944 – July 13, 2025)
Fred I. Padilla, passed away on July 13, 2025, surrounded by family. Fred was born in Moquino, NM on March 27, 1944, to Carlos and Natividad Padilla, Fred graduated from Seboyeta High School in 1963 before answering the call to serve in the U.S. Army from 1963 until 1966.
On December 9, 1967, Fred married his beloved wife Corrine of 58 years, with whom he built a lifetime of love and family. He was a devoted father to his children Janice Simpson (Grants, NM) and Isaac Padilla (Edgewood, NM) and a proud Señor Grandpa to Nicholas Padilla (Anchorage, AK), Courtney Padilla (Portales, NM), Wyatt Simpson (Cleo Spring, OK), Kristina Simpson (Hobbs, NM), and Jeremy Padilla (Las Cruces, NM).
Fred spent 25 years working in the uranium mines and held public service roles with great integrity, including positions as board member of the Lava Soil & Water Conservation District, local Cemetery Board, and as Grants City Councilman. Following his mining career, he served the community through the Cibola County Assessor’s Office and later retired from the State Highway Department. A passionate rancher and avid gardener, Fred’s dedication to both his land and community was unwavering.
He was preceded in death by his Grandfather Florencio Padilla, his parents, Carlos and Natividad Padilla, brothers Carlos and Robert Padilla, sister Emily Vallejos, and in-laws Luis and Maggie Chavez.
Rosary will be held Sunday, July 20th at 6:00 pm. Celebration of life mass will be held on Monday, July 21st at 10:00 a.m. at St Teresa Catholic Church.
Pallbearers are Nicholas Padilla, Courtney Padilla, Wyatt Simpson, Kristina Simpson, Jeremy Padilla and William Borthagaray.
Honorary Bearers are Jeff Simpson, Anthony Chavez, Fred Rodarte, Daniel Chavez, Jerry Vallejos, Eugene Chavez, Barbara Rowden, and Richard Montoya.
Fred will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, deep community devotion, and the peaceful joy he found in gardening and ranch life. He was also known for his quick wit, always ready with a joke or playful tease that lit up family gatherings, no one left a visit without a smile. His legacy of kindness and laughter lives on in his family and everyone he met.