Alvin G. Padilla, Jr.

Alvin Glere Padilla, Jr. was born on 20 November, 1931 and delivered back to our Lord on 17 November, 2004. Alvin was preceded in death by his wife, Maria Lupe G. Padilla, by his parents, Alvin G. and Mary F. Padilla and son-in-law Jude J. Magaro. Pallbearers: Eliel Hinojosa, Jr., James Ash, Richard Ash, Hector Rodriguez, Hector Rodriguez, II and Mark Rodriguez. The family will receive visitors and hold a Rosary from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock Sunday evening a the Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, 710 Ed Carey Drive in Harlingen, Texas.

Alvin is survived by his children, Rose Padilla, Carl Padilla, Betty Magaro, Dorothy Eliel Hinojosa and Alvin G. Padilla, III; grandchildren, Eliel Cecilia Hinojosa, Jr., Nicole Helene Hinojosa, Jude J. Magaro, Jr. and Noah Thaddeus Alvin Salvatore Magaro; sister, Elvira Cole; and brother Robert F. Padilla.

Alvin graduated from Tech High School in 1950 after starting for three seasons as a two-way tackle for the late Pat Shannon, crowning his senior season as Captain of the team along with All-State honors in 1949 which in that era for a Mexican-American was frankly unheard of. "Alvin was the finest down field blocker I ever coached", said Coach Shannon. Shortly after graduation in 1950 he proudly served his country as a United States Marine in 'A' company, 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment during the Korean War. Alvin was a member of the Chosin Few, an organization that derived it's name from the battle in Korea, the Chosin Reservoir in which United States personnel fought their way from the Reservoir to the Sea of Japan in an offensive defensive action facing overwhelming odds against the Chinese Army in late November and early December of 1950. Alvin sustained frostbite to his fingers and toes in the course of this battle. Alvin attended numerous reunions to share in the fellowship of those who proudly and fiercely served to defend these United States. Returning from Korea, Alvin got married to Lupe and enrolled in the machinist's program at Kelly AFB. This focused his attention as a machinist from which he eventually opened his own machine shop in 1964 called Quality Products Mfg. Co. In the years following, Alvin became involved in politics and was a leading advocate of Republicans in the state of Texas campaigning for future President George H. W. Bush in the sixties. In 1971 Alvin was appointed to the San Antonio city council and elected the following year, serving as Mayor Pro-Tem during Charles Becker's administration. During his period as a city councilman, Alvin was a pioneer passenger on the first flight of Southwest Airlines, acquainting him with Herb Kelleher, an association which would again collaborate in the mid-nineties. During the course of his council days, Alvin was most proud of ramrodding the Emergency Medical System EMS for San Antonio and Bexar County.

He was also the keynote speaker for the first EMS graduating class. In 1974, he resigned his seat on the city council to run for Bexar county clerk. This race being unsuccessful proved to be his last for political office. In 1977, Alvin became a McDonald's franchisee opening his first franchise in Harlingen, Texas on 16 August 1977. His success in the food business was unmatched by any Hispanic in the United States, as he grew his Rio Grande Valley business 17 stores and 500 employees, 49 store awards to become the largest and most decorated Hispanic franchisee in McDonald's before retiring in 1999. Alvin was extremely proud of his business endeavors as they always included his loving wife, Lupe and for the most part of 35 years all his children and finally his two oldest grandkids. Besides being a San Antonio city councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem, Alvin served on numerous boards in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley, of which a few were the McDonald's NOAB serving from 1983-1988 representing the Houston Region and the Ronald McDonald House board in the Rio Grande Valley from 1993-2000, Southwest Airlines played a major role as a founding member Alvin and his family were at the forefront of putting together, funding and opening the Ronald McDonald House in Harlingen, Texas. Alvin's ultimate passion was the Marine Military Academy, known as MMA, located in Harlingen, Texas, the only high school in the United States with an association to the Marine Corps. Generals and CEOs of major corporations from across the United States sat on this board with retired Sergeant Alvin G. Padilla, Jr. the lone NCO. He served on the MMA board beginning in 1989 until 2004. His proudest moment of his association came in 1998 as he watched his oldest grandson Eliel Hinojosa, Jr. graduate from MMA, salutatorian of his class. The family will receive visitors and hold a Rosary from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock Sunday evening at the Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, 710 Ed Carey Drive in Harlingen, TX. Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 1720 Treasure Hills Blvd., Harlingen, TX 78550 or Marine Military Academy, 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlingen, TX 78550.