I was a former student of Mr. Padilla and I am very sorry to barley find out about this he was a great professor and very caring, I cherish a paper I had to write for him because he pushed me hard to write it and I keep it as a valuable 1600 word essay. Thank you for being so kind and helpful may you RIP.

I just heard of your loss, and I am in shock.  You were always a good friend.  I am sad that we had not been in contact for years, but I do remember our times together.  Those were special times, and will always be in my heart.  My heart goes out to your family, especially your boys.  You always talked about them with so much pride.  Love you my dear friend.  

My thoughts and prayers are with dear Hector Padilla's family and friends.  May  God comfort you and everyone with God's
 everlasting love. 

Sincerely,

Hitomi Kamahara 

Hector,  we will miss your smile. When we would go visit Marisol and Hector home you always had a smile. Joe enjoyed alwats conversing with you.  We know you are going to be missed. Prayers for the family.  

What a wonderful caring instructor!  He was a fine example of what a teacher should be.  I am privileged to have been one of his colleagues. My condolences to his family. 

The first time I meet Hector was at a Coordinator meeting at the RG Campus.  He was very quiet but welcoming.  He started with if you have any questions I will be happy to assistance you.   His gentle and calm voice made me feel very glad I had someone to count on.
We worked together for about 12 years at RG before we went to different campuses.
Condolences to your loved ones on your passing.
I will cherish my time God allowed us to be friends.  You will always be in my memories.  
Linda Cropper

I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Hector Padilla.  The sadness will last a long time, for I felt great affection for Hector and because he was a man of great compassion, wit, curiosity, a quickness to laugh, and the ability to listen fully when another spoke.  For years we hiked together on Saturday mornings.  If I could choose but one companion for a hike in the Franklins, it would be Hector.  Rest In Peace, brother.

Mr. Padilla 
Oh how I will miss you coming into the VRC to get some coffee. Your soft “hi Mija ". You were always so warm and welcoming. Going to your class was the best part of my day. I loved it so much I would stay after class. We could talk about books, trips and of course the military. You tend to be so off topic sometimes but then it would always have some lesson behind it.  Your compassion for teaching inspired me more than you would ever know. You made school fun made it easy to remember things. You are so understanding and a caring soul. It was an honor to know you as a person and a friend. Your laugh was so contagious. Goodness it breaks my heart to be writing this. I will see you again one day. I just want you to know you impacted so many lives more than you could imagine.  I’m sad it was so soon you were so full of life. Until we meet again May you Rest In Peace.

Hector Padilla was an amazing man!  

We first met in the 1980s when Hector started working with the EPCC Young Parent Program.  He was so enthusiastic about the work that we were doing and he was a brilliant and patient teacher. His calm demeanor and vast knowledge about so many things were a blessing to the program and for our students. 

Hector was very committed to the program goals which included helping students earn their GEDs and transition to college, teaching life skills and parenting skills, and motivating the students to seek higher education. He had the gift of showing students how important they were and that they could succeed in life while parenting their children.

About 33 years ago, Hector told me that his career goal was to become a tenured Professor of English, and soon after, he did just that! 

Hector touched the lives of countless students throughout his long and successful career. He will be greatly missed as a colleague and as a friend.

My deep condolences to Hector’s family. He will live on in our hearts. May your memories bring you comfort and peace.


I remember Ms. Padilla from way back when Mr. Bill Fowler was working with us at the college he use to kid around with him.  Heard great comments about his teaching, he will be greatly missed and he my rest in peace..he is with the angels in heaven.

I will miss you, Hector.  It was so good having you as a "down the hallway" neighbor these past few years. You always took the time to stop and chat a bit. Commiserating in the hallway and talking about the passing of time is something I will always remember. Fond memories of you, always.


When I first met Hector at UTEP ,  we were taking MFA classes back in the early 90s.   We went from classmates to colleagues at the College.  Every time we crossed paths was either a chat or a head-shaking smile.  Your candidness and direct honesty was always a refreshing break in the mundanity.  I will miss you, amigo.     

Mr. Padilla was a wonderful person, he was a faculty member for our English discipline. Very nice person, professional and with a huge heart.  his passion about teaching was amazing.  I'll  always remember him when he walked into our office just to say Hi, and to ask us for a candy. "just one Eva."

When I was  dating Hap, he took me to meet his parents, of course I was a little nervous. After meeting Hector and Tere, I knew that I would always feel welcomed and always feel loved. 

A funny story, I was attending EPCC at the time and I ran into Hector and I went to  say hi to him. He asked me what class I was in and I told him I was Hap's girlfriend and that I met him a week ago. He was so embarrassed his face turned red and it turned red every time we told that story.  

Everything that has been said on this site about my father in law is so true, there is not much I can add except that he was always concerned about all of us, about my family, my dad, and especially our girls, Nicole and Tatiana. In his eyes his granddaughters were truly the most beautiful girls in the world, including Alyssa and his handsome grandson Isaac. He was so proud of them, he would smile so big when he spoke of them.

Two years ago I tagged along with Hector and Tere to visit my younger daughter Tatiana in Colorado and I am so grateful that I did. Hector and I had some great conversations, laughs, and even tears on that road trip. I will always treasure those memories. 

Father-in-law,  we will miss you greatly. Thank you for being an awesome Grandfather and Father-in-law.  You were taken from us too soon, but I know you have tenure in heaven.  : )

love you and miss you
your daughter-in-law, 
Mari 



Hector always had fascinating stories to share about his many trips around the world. Thank you for letting me know all about India, even the little crawlers, when I told you I was saving up to go there.  You described  India as such an enchanting place  that I cannot even think of the little creatures which may attempt to climb up my feet.  You are now traveling to many countries and taking breaks in paradise.  Thank you for your service to this nation and for instilling high values in our students.  I will miss you but will rejoice knowing you are with loved ones who departed before you! RIP
See you later my friend,
Angelina

Pops,

It's been a week since you left us and I think we are all in a daze, still asking ourselves, "what happened?" Losing you is something I just can't wrap my head around and I guess I never will. 

I want to thank you Pops, for everything. There are too many stories of your love for me and the impact you had on my life to write here. One moment in particular though, I want to share with you and everyone else. I am sorry I never told you this before and the fact I never did will always bother me. 

When I promoted to Lieutenant with the fire department, I called you because I was nervous. I told you the crew I was being assigned to were much older, had way more time on the job than me, and I wasn't quite sure how they were going to react. You told me, "Mijo, you're smart, you worked hard for this promotion, and I'm proud of you." 

You went on the offer some advice, that I can honestly say served me well for the rest of my career. You said to treat my crew with respect, never ask them to do something that I wouldn't be willing to do myself, and to get to know my men as individuals. You further explained that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and that the key to a good leader was to capitalize on the strengths while minimizing the weaknesses. 

I understood what you meant by "capitalize on the strengths" but asked, "How do you minimize the weaknesses?" You answered, "By putting them in a position to succeed."  Wow, and there it was! One of those moments in life where some fatherly advice made all the difference to a son. Thank you for those words Pops. I can't tell you how often I relied on your advice, and I know your words helped me to be the best firefighter I could be.

I will miss you and everything about you Pops. My heart aches because I know we will never get to go out the gun club anymore, we will never build that AR we were planning do together, but more than anything else, you will not physically be here with us. I love you-HAP. 


Hector,

I will miss you brother!   I remember the talks, visiting you, your calmness and your sense of humor.  You loved me and the family very much and I love you so much too!  I can’t believe you’re gone but I know we will see each other again. There are so many memories that I hold close to my heart.  I was re reading text messages from you and how you  wanted me to move to El Paso because you didn’t want me to be away from family. You were that person, always caring; thinking of me and others.  Rest In Peace Hector!   I love you bro!!!

Our good Lord whispered to his soul,  "Will you follow me"?
Hector quickly answered,
"Yes I will"!
Hector my nephew lived a good life!
He taught by example,  hard work and good deeds,  not just by empty words.
I am sure he will be sadly missed by his siblings,  sons, friends, aunts and cousins as well as by his students who yearned to learn from him!
We love you my 1st Nephew!  
May you rest in God's loving Arms!
We will see you soon!🙏❤


I am grateful that you deducted 25 points from my grade because I missed a period in my MLA format. I am grateful that you pushed me to do my best in my writing. I’m grateful that I got one great compliment from you at the end of that semester! Because of you, I teach various writing and literature courses. You really were such an inspiration to your students. Thank you, Mr. Padilla. Thank you for the positive impact you had on my life. Thank you for planting that seed of writing inspiration within me. I’ll remember you always. 

Hector was a great professor, mentor and friend. I met Mr. Padilla, when I first entered college. He was our advisor for MEChA, he was a fun, cool guy to be around. He was also a regular at the Valle Verde Library, always catching up on the latest books, always smiling, always offering words of encouragement. He is going to be missed.... Thank you for everything Hector...rest in peace my friend....

Thank you for always believing in not only me but my envision for the club. Thank you for making my two years in EPCC the best years I could ask for. I’ll always remember our times just sitting in your office and talking about life. You inspired me to become a teacher just like yourself. I’ll make sure to accomplish that goal! Thank you for impacting my life and guiding me as a mentor. Thank you for making the All About Anime club with me and making it the best club I could ever create with your guidance!

At the toughest time in my life, Hector, you were there for me and my son. You were a true friend and always a gentleman.  I will cherish our memories as friends and as EPCC colleagues. I will miss your kindheartedness and true friendship.  Rest In Peace, my dear friend.

Where to begin! Hector was a great mentor. Had it not been for his encouragement and guidance, I don't think I would have my job teaching at the college. Whenever our paths would cross, he always had positive words to share, and would gift me various jewels of knowledge. 

What hurts most about his loss is I wish we would have had just a little more time! I would have given him a huge hug. I would have told him that I have nothing but love for him! 

Those who knew him, will miss him greatly! 

REST IN POWER GREAT KING
 

Hector,

I will forever miss that subtle smile on your face and the always-so-positive greetings in the hallways between classes.  Your be cool attitude was infectious, and it had a calming effect on your students and on all of us.  I do not think I ever thanked you for taking that troubled student into your class for me.  You straightened him out fast, and I am sure he is better for it today.  I am forever grateful.

Stay cool, hermano.   I will do my best to pay it forward.
~Charlie

Hector and I were part of the first Bilingual MFA cohort at UTEP in 1993 and we shared many great stories and workshops.  Later, in 2001 I returned to El Paso after living several years in San Diego to accept a position in the English dept.  at EPCC and Hector was there to greet me and make me feel welcomed.  I will always remember him fondly.  He was truly a great person with a beautiful soul.  Que en paz descanse. 

Hector, you promised we would be neighbors one day here in New Mexico. You said there are places here with a peace and spirit meaningful to you. Maybe. But Hector, you have a peace and spirit to you that is meaningful to me no matter where I find you, whether in the halls at work, or by chance at a store in Las Cruces. I pray that all who contemplate you now will know that peace too.

Peter

On behalf of the Rivera Family of Buffalo, NY we would like to extend our condolences to the entire Padilla Family of El Paso, Texas to include Nancy Reyes, Roy Padilla, Gregory Padilla, Mary Padilla Vares, and Michael Padilla (his siblings), his children: Hector Jr., David and Elias,  Hector’s Grandchildren,  Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.  Our Lord God will bless family and friends so that you find joy in the midst of all the pain that  you are experiencing.  

Just expressing our sincere condolences to Mary Vares, her brother Hector and all the family and loved ones on behalf of all the team members at Catholic Charities Dallas.

Teresa Gomez

Hector Padilla Jr. (Marisol)

David Padilla (Rosie)

Elias Padilla (Tania)

Gregorio Padilla Jr.

Carmen Rangel Padilla

Carmen Rangel Ramirez

He also leaves behind his beloved 2 dogs Arn and Mona, along with 5 grandchildren Nicole, Tatiana, Isaac, Alyssa, and Mary Elise, 5 siblings, Nancy Reyes, Roy Padilla, Gregory Padilla, Mary Vares and Michael Padilla, many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.

OBITUARY

Hector Leo Padilla

June 8, 1953 – July 25, 2020

Funeraria del Angel Central

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