Former West Marin resident Jesus Padilla, 50, who
worked for years on the Nunes ranch on Point Reyes, was killed in a
solo automobile accident on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
While driving south on Highway 101 near Cotati shortly
after noon, Mr. Padilla's 1986 Acura Legend drifted off the highway
into a steep embankment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Born in San Miguel el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb.
5, 1955, Mr. Padilla was the middle son in a family of 17 children.
Before learning to read and write, as a young boy he was forced to leave
school to work on the family ranch.
At age 20 he crossed the border into the US, first
working at a woodmill near Yosemite National Park. He later learned
of job opportunities on West Marin ranches and moved to Nicasio briefly
before settling on the Nunes ranch.
At one point Mr. Padilla was deported to his homeland,
which proved to be a blessing in disguise. Back in San Miguel he met
his future wife, Hermila Franco, the sister of Gloria Franco who married
his brother, Carmello Padilla.
Two brothers married two sisters
Mr. Padilla loved women with very long hair and was
smitten when he was introduced to young Hermila, whose shiny black locks
flowed nearly to her waist.
The two Padilla brothers, married to the two Franco
sisters, all settled on the Nunes ranch where they raised their children
together, creating a feeling of being home in Mexico. A sweet-natured
man, Mr. Padilla was known for his warm smile and chuckle.
"My dad was a sports freak," said his son,
Chito Padilla. He rooted for the San Francisco Giants and while his
children were growing up attended as many of their ballgames as possible.
He played the Lotto each week and enjoyed spinning the roulette wheel
at casinos.
Mr. Padilla was a devoted father, proud of his three
children and their educational and professional accomplishments. Always
a hard worker, he was nonetheless surprised by his own successes. "He
didn't expect to get what he had," reflected his son. At the time
of his death Mr. Padilla lived in Rohnert Park and worked for EMG, a
manufacturer of guitar parts. He was predeceased by his oldest brother.
Mr. Padilla is survived by his wife, Hermila Franco
Padilla; sons, Chito Padilla; and Noe Padilla; all of Rohnert Park;
daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Lupe Avalos; and grandsons, Sebastian
Avalos; and Jaro Avalos; all of Los Angeles. In addition to his brother
and sister-in-law, Carmello and Gloria Padilla of Point Reyes, he is
survived by 15 brothers and sisters who live in Mexico and Northern
and Southern California.
More than 300 friends and relatives attended Mr. Padilla's
funeral, which was held at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Petaluma.