Albert Padron Riojas

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry C. Riojas & Anita Reyna Padron, his son Russell, and brothers Henry and Vicente. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary, his children, Marshall (Yolanda), Mario, Matthew (Irma) and Victoria (Sean), and Leslie (Brian), and his grandchildren Brittany (Zeke), Victoria Layne (Max), Marshall, Matthew, Sebastian, Tristan, Savanna, Lucy and Miranda, and his great-grandchildren Taytum, Presley, Bailey, Bowen, Jamison, Teagan, and Briare. He is survived by his siblings Jose Arturo, Eduardo, Gloria, and Jose Javier.

After graduating from Martin High School in San Antonio, Texas, Albert embarked upon a life of service. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve for nearly 40 years retiring with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer III. He moved to Fresno, California where he was briefly a Fresno County Sheriff and served for nearly 40 years in the U.S. Postal Service – delivering mail to the Pinedale community for many years, as well as, serving as Postmaster for Post Offices in Yettem, Cutler-Orosi, Los Banos and Fresno, California. He earned his Bachelor of Science from California State University, Fresno in 1973. After retiring from the Post Office, he continued engaging customers and voters for nearly 14 years for Kohl’s Department Store and the elections department for the County of Fresno. He also held positions on the Pinedale County Water District Board of Directors serving many years as its President and Chairman.

He was first and foremost a devout family man and a beloved Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. He offered help and support for those in need, and some who didn’t. He prided himself on being able to keep up with his grandchildren’s high energy levels. He relished being a foodie – savoring every bite - especially sweets. He was a leading recycler - finding second life and usefulness in found items, furniture, and gas caps. He was calm, loving, and often offered advice to anyone who listened – whether or not it was requested – but always thoughtful and relevant. He had a great sense of humor, with a boundless and contagious laugh and that booming “Riojas” voice. He will be missed…..

A Rosary will be prayed on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 7:00 pm at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home 836 E. Nees Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Agnes Church 111 West Birch Avenue, Pinedale, CA 93650 at 10:00 am on Friday, June 10, 2022.

Interment at St. Peter’s Catholic cemetery will follow.