PADILLA

Jesus “Jesse” Padilla, 79, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on July 8 in Eagle Lake.

Jesse, as most people knew him, was born in Ganado May 7, 1943 to Alfonso and Jacinta Padilla. He was the youngest of 13 children. He grew up on the Northside of Houston.

At the age of 17, he joined the US Army serving our country proudly for three years while experiencing the beauty and culture of France, Spain, and Germany.

After discharge, he found employment with Southern Pacific Railroad. This work brought him to Eagle Lake,where he met and married Mary Cantu on June 4, 1966.

They remained married for 50 years and together raised their nieces Prisca Cantu Soto and Bianca Cantu as their daughters and enjoyed the joy of many grandchildren Mario, Glenn, Christian, Jeslyn, Jasia and Jayla until the Lord called her home Oct. 12, 2011.

Jesse retired from the railroad after 20 years but continued to work at Alexander Plant Farm in Alleyton, in addition to landscaping private yards. On Apr. 24, 2013, he married Eva Locklier and together they blended families and enjoyed life until the Lord called Eva home on June 4, 2020.

Jesse was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to landscape yards and working with plants/ flowers. He had a “green thumb” that could bring any plant back to life.

He had a love for classic vehicles and Cowboy movies. Regardless if you called him brother, friend, Tio, Primo, Popo, Pops or Babe, one thing was for certain, he was one of the hardest working men on earth and always provided for his family the best he could.

He was not a man of many words, but his words had great value. He loved the Lord and believed in God’s will. He was proceeded in death by his late spouses Mary Cantu Padilla and Eva Padilla, parents Alfonso and Jacinta Padilla.

His siblings Vickie Martinez, Virginia Basquez, Janie Pena (Lupe Pena), Alfonso Padilla (Jeannie Padilla), Lola Reyna, Annie Llanes (Roy Llanes), Beatrice Padilla, Step-son, Stephen Ebarra. He is survived by his daughters Prisca Soto (Freddie Soto), Bianca Cantu, Step-Children Linda Henderson (DW Henderson), Gary Wayne (Vida Ebarra), Jason Locklier, Siblings Joe Padilla (Consuello Padilla), Isidor Padilla (Lucy Padilla), Julian Padilla (Mimmie Padilla), Mary Hernandez (Ben Hernandez), Mary Guzman (Gilbert Guzman) and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation and Rosary were at Eagle Lake Funeral Home July 14.

Final arrangements were under the direction of Eagle Lake Funeral Home.