Joe Padilla, Jr., age 79, died Saturday, October 29, 2016, in Clayton, New Mexico.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton, New Mexico with Fr. Jason Pettigrew as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.

Joe Padilla, Jr. was born on December 28, 1936 in Roy, New Mexico to Margarito Joe Padilla, Sr. And Pauline G. (Ortega) Padilla. Joe married Mary Nora (Valdez) Padilla on November 18, 1955 in Clayton, New Mexico. Joe retired from the New Mexico Highway Department in 1982 after 25 years. He owned and operated a salvage yard in Guymon, Oklahoma from 1982-1989 and then returned to Clayton where he worked for the First National Bank from 1993 until he retired in 2000. He also owned rental property in Clayton. Joe was a member of the Eagles Club in Tucumcari, New Mexico, The Elks Lodge in Guymon, Oklahoma and the Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus in Clayton, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sons; Michael Anthony Padilla on April 26, 1995 and Frankie Joe Padilla on July 29, 2004, 1 sister; Mary Cruz, 2 Brothers; Ernie Padilla and Morris Padilla, 1 Brother-in-law; Julian Vigil and 1 daughter-in-law; Linda Padilla.

SURVIVORS:

3 SONS: Danny Padilla, Morris Padilla and Michael Padilla, II all of Clayton, New Mexico.

1 DAUGHTER: Annabelle Padilla of Clayton, New Mexico.

2 SISTERS: Cecilia Vigil of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Dorothy Gutierrez and her husband Eloy of Corpus Christi, Texas.

3 BROTHERS: Albert Padilla and his wife Mary of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ralph Padilla and his wife Patsy of Pueblo, Colorado and Jerry Padilla and his wife Lillie of Clayton, New Mexico.

1 SISTER-IN-LAW: Beatrice Padilla of Guymon, Oklahoma.

4 GRANDCHILDREN: Brandon Padilla of Tucumcari, New Mexico, Ty Padilla of Amarillo, Texas, Andrew Padilla of Clayton, New Mexico and Charla Jimenez of Denver, Colorado.

1 GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER: Stella Padilla of Amarillo, Texas.

Joe is also survived by many "Little Monkeys", friends, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was known as Uncle Joe and Uncle Monkey to many people.