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Art Padilla
Art Padilla will be remembered by his family as their Christmas Angel because he went to Heaven at noon on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2016. Art was born April 6, 1940 in Winkelman to Enrique Padilla and Luz Miranda Padilla.
After the death of this father in a mining accident at Tiger, Art, his brother Bobby and mother lived with family members in Winkelman, Oracle, and Tucson before settling in Florence. Once in their own home they lived there till both brothers were out of high school. Art was most proud of being one of the first inducted to the Florence High School Hall of Fame. He was a four sport letterman with baseball as the sport in which he excelled.
He was an expert fisherman who taught his children, grandchildren and those he called “his Boys” how to fish. He was not a hunter because the deer who roamed the mine at Ray became his friends.
After a few years of working for the Hayden-Winkelman School System, he started at the Kennecott Ray Mines as a truck driver and became a supervisor when ASARCO took over. Those under his supervision knew what was expected of them and especially not to mess up his office.
He was busy with community and Church activities that very few people knew about because he refused to be acknowledged for work done or have his picture taken.
He enjoyed woodworking especially making frames and designing his own special projects. His signature was the western design and wood burning. His yard, especially the back yard, was his pride and joy featuring his fountains, flowers and sculptures.
He is survived by his wife, Rosalind; children, Art (Priscilla), Kenny (Tiffany), Kim (James) Holmes, Carla (Mike) Ramirez and Danny (Stacey); grandchildren, Matt (Zenyazen), Alex, Anthony (Rosa), Bernie (John) Sadauskas, Jacob, Ben, Gina Solano, Veronica (David) Solano, Melinda (Kent) Solano, Angel (Antonio) Martinez, Liz (Earnest) Coleman, Vanessa (Manny) Vasquez, Josiah Ramirez, Daniel and Isabella Padilla; great-grandchildren, Thalia, Anthony Jr., Ysabell, and Andrea; Norah, Caleb and Hannah Saduakas; Erianah, Raelyn, Christopher, Amiah, Tony and Abel; brother, Henry (Carmen), and many nieces and nephews.
Art was preceded in death by his parents, Enrique and Luz Padilla; sister, Helen (Chato) Noriega; and brothers, Charles Patiken and Bobby Padilla.
Memorial services will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Senator Chastain St. (at the bottom of the school Hill) Saturday, Jan. 7, 2016 at 11 a.m. A potluck luncheon will follow in the Ray Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gemini Hospice or Church of the Good Shepherd.
Griffith Mortuary is providing exceptional family service. 101 Johnston Dr., Kearny, AZ 85137. Ph. (520) 363-5353. GriffithMortuary.com.
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