OBITUARY

Louis M. Padilla

Posted

Louis M. Padilla died July 30, 2019, following a five-week battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.

Louis was born Aug. 25, 1942 to Pedro and Maria Padilla in Lawrence, Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1959 and retired as a first sergeant after 20 years. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and in three tours as a drill instructor and another tour as the chief instructor of Drill Instructor School at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. He loved his Marine Corps and was a true patriot who loved his country.

Following military retirement, Louis worked as the head of human resource management for Ace Parking in San Diego before relocating in 1982 to the Key Peninsula to be near his wife’s family.

Louis worked as the produce manager for Uddenberg’s Thriftway. Later he became partner-owner and operator of Parkview Terrace Grocery in Port Orchard with his father-in-law, Dalton Trent, selling the store after 12 years.

He spent his final career with Alaska Airlines as a ramp service agent, using his skills in leadership, mentoring and work ethics before retiring for good in 2008.

Louis was founding board member of the Key Peninsula Little League, coaching both girls’ and boys’ teams. He believed all youth deserved the opportunity not only to play but to be taught the mechanics of the sport. A great athlete himself, in later years he was an avid pickleball player.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, sister Rebecca and brother Ricardo. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Lynne; sisters Lucy Gedeon of Ohio, Antonia Valdivia and Socorro De La Fuente Silguero of Kansas; children Miguel Padilla of Redding, California, Catherine McMonigle of Gig Harbor, Gabriel Padilla of Kirkland, Theresa Courtwright, Louie Padilla, Cindy Thompson and Christina Lira Bronson, all of Kansas; and many grandchildren.


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