Richard A Padilla Sr.

Richard Alfred Padilla Sr., 76 years young, of Hemet, California passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Hemet Valley Hospital in Hemet, California.

     Richard was born to Albert C. Padilla Sr. and Alvina De La Cerda Padilla on June 27, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas. 

     Survived by his wife, Susan, his two sons Richard Jr., Zachary, one daughter Tracy, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his siblings, two sisters, Sally, Connie, and one brother Albert.

     Preceded in death by his parents Albert C. Padilla Sr., Alvina De La Cerda Padilla and his two siblings Linda and Mike.

     Richard was a loving, caring, considerate husband, father, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, grandfather, and friend to everyone that knew him.

     Richard was raised in San Antonio with his five siblings Sally, Connie, Albert, Linda, and Mike.  His childhood interests were music, playing the guitar, singing, and motorcycles. 

     He started a band as a teenager and played at weddings, quinceaneras, and high school dances throughout San Antonio, Texas while pursuing his love for music as a musician.

     After graduating high school he was drafted in the Army to serve in the Vietnam War. 

     Upon returning from Vietnam he moved to Washington DC.  He met and married Joan Barry and had three children Richard Jr., Zackary, and Tracy.  He got a job on Capitol Hill and worked at the Library of Congress as a Printer for the next ten years and remained in the printing field for years after that.  

     Later in life Richard had different jobs working in the hospitals as security, construction supervisor, and golf course maintenance supervisor while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and nature.  His love for nature was profound and he enjoyed the beauty of plants, flowers, trees, bird watching, and the mountains.

     Richard enjoyed riding his motorcycle and even more so wrenching on it.  He rode his motorcycle across country a few times and moved to California where he met and married his wife Susan.

     Throughout his life, Richard was an entertainer and musician.  He enjoyed singing at Karaoke and performing comedy acts (Cheech and Chong).  His hobbies were studying music, playing the guitar, piano, singing, dancing, gardening, and fishing.  He also enjoyed spending time with his wife Susan watching old classic movies and musicals.

     He was a Life Member of the VFW post 2266 and the American Legion post 53 in Hemet, CA.  This is where he found comradery and friendships with his fellow Veterans.

     Richard will be deeply missed by all those who were in his life.