Reginaldo "Ray" Padilla

Ray Padilla left this earth to join the Lord on Monday April 6, 2020. He was born on October 11, l936 in Ft. Collins, Colorado, one of 14 children born to Amado and Isabel Padilla who preceded him in death as well as his brothers Max, Clarence, Bennie, Telesforo, and Ernest Padilla. He is survived by his loving wife Sharon and children, Adina Abeyta (Armand), Regina Padilla, and Sheldon Padilla (Jessica) as well as five grandchildren – Rebekkah Abeyta, Dante Abeyta, Franchesca Abeyta, Vince Abeyta, and Devlin Padilla. He also has five surviving siblings – Lena Waldner, Augustine Padilla, David Padilla, Frances Padilla, and Juanita Benavides.

Ray’s childhood was spent in Ft. Collins, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was very resourceful as a young boy selling papers and sneaking on to the air force base at night to shine shoes for the airman. At the very young age of 16 he joined the United States Army and became a paratrooper in the Korean War where he saw too much and the death of his close friends.

When he returned from the Army, he trained to be a hairdresser and became quite good at his craft and a very popular in Denver. However, this was not the profession for him, and he quit shortly after he began to work in construction. He was resourceful as a young man as well and eventually led large concrete construction crews for Stapleton Airport and several high rises in downtown Denver and surrounding areas.

He met Sharon Miller, the love of his life and life partner, in 1969 and they married in 1971 and had three children. Ray was a devoted husband and father who always wanted the best for his family. Ray and Sharon built their own home in Sedalia, Colorado in 1979 where they raised their children and lived for over 40 years.

Ray started his own commercial concrete construction business in l982, and once again he was very resourceful and built a successful business which continued until his retirement in l998. He and his wife Sharon enjoyed their retirement together for over 20 years with their family and friends, traveling, and on their property in Sedalia.

Ray loved his family and many friends and was beloved by his wife, children, family, and friends. He was an amazing father and a very popular brother, uncle, and cousin. He loved to make everyone laugh and was teased as having a “silver tongue.”

Ray led a long prosperous life and always recounted his many blessings with his beloved family and being able to live over 40 years in the house he built on his property in Sedalia. He led a happy and healthy life and enjoyed many adventures in his 83 years. While the last two years were challenging with two major surgeries, he was always strong and positive enjoying his family and friends.

Ray was a special man who will be truly missed by family and friends. He was one of a kind. God Bless his soul.

The family hopes to have a Celebration of Life service late summer of 2020.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House or Father Woody’s Haven of Hope or to your favorite charity in his name.

Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House

4801 North Highway 67

P. O. Box 185

Sedalia, CO 80135-0185

Telephone: 303-688-4198

Father Woody’s Haven of Hope

1101 W. 7th Avenue

Denver, CO 80204

Telephone: 303-607-0855

God’s Garden- The Poem

God looked around His garden and He found an empty place. He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He knew you were suffering. He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills are hard to climb. So, He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be thine.” It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. -Author Unknown-