Rodolfo & Frances Padilla

Frances Padilla, 102, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2023, in Killeen, Texas. Six days later on January 22 in Austin, Texas her beloved husband Rodolfo “Rudy” Padilla, 95, joined her in eternal rest. Frances was born on February 25, 1920, in Coupland Texas to Zeferino and Monica Zavala as the fifth of seven children. Frances is preceded in death by two sisters, Juanita Zavala Nunez and Sara Zavala Delgado and five brothers: Leobardo Zavala, Isaac Zavala, Jose Zavala, Elias Zavala, and Angel Zavala. Frances was the last surviving sibling of the Zavala family. Rudy was born on April 15, 1927 in Chino, California to Trinidad and Aurora Valencia Padilla. The fifth of six siblings. Rudy was preceded in death by his loving wife Frances Padilla, his parents Trinidad Padilla & Aurora Valencia Padilla and siblings Joseph Padilla, Dora Padilla Romero, Reynaldo Padilla and Celia “Sally” Newman. Uncle Rudy and Aunt Frances are also survived by Rudy’s esteemed brother Trinidad Padilla and numerous loving nieces and nephews who will cherish their memories greatly. Rudy joined the military and served in both the United States Army and Marines. Frances met Rudy during the Vietnam War while Rudy was serving in the Army and stationed in Killeen, TX. After they married in 1964, they moved to Germany where Rudy was deployed and spent several years. During their stay in Germany, Frances learned to speak German and volunteered for the Red Cross to provide support to our military men and women on behalf of her husband. From the beginning of their courtship, the love and devotion shared by Rudy and Frances would only become stronger through their 59 years of marriage and sustain them until death. Frances and Rudy touched many lives with their generosity and passion for life. They loved extended family and stayed actively involved in the lives of their nieces, nephews and extended family. Frances’ bright and energetic personality attracted lifelong friends whom she loved dearly. Frances was an active lady who loved to learn, exercise, bake, sew, dance, travel, and had a passion for oil painting. Frances bestowed her creations of art to her family and will forever keep her beautiful spirit alive. Her family will remember her as a caring aunt, and friend who loved life. Rudy was a quiet man who adored his wife dearly and always made family and friends welcome. He enjoyed tinkering with and caring for his vehicles. It was not uncommon to visit them and see the latest new vehicle purchase that Uncle Rudy had made. He enjoyed greatly that “new car smell”. Rudy loved to travel and woodworking. He remained eternally grateful to his Aunt and Uncle Raphael & Tula Tapia and older Cousin Helen & Husband George Medina who raised Rudy and his siblings after the passing of their parents. Their faith was especially important to Rudy & Frances and they actively participated at St. Joseph Parish where Frances served as a Eucharistic minister and she and Rudy volunteered their services for over fifty years. Funeral mass for Rudy and Frances Padilla will be held on Monday, February 6 at 11 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Killeen. Burials to follow at 2 PM at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Pallbearers are great nephews Paul Barratachea, Thomas Barratachea, Chris Barratachea, John Espinosa, Rolando Delgado and Chris Campos. Honorary pallbearers include Roy Medina, Arturo Zavala, Alfredo Delgado, Rick Sosa, Gilbert Barratachea and Thomas Martinez. The family would like to thank all their neighbors & friends; especially Gilbert & Jimmie Lee, Ramon & Marta Martinez and all the medical staff that cared for them during their time of need. Donations in honor of Rudy & Frances Padilla may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School in Killeen. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com for the Padilla family.