PATRICK PADILLA class of 1978

"When I surf, I can only hang nine," Patrick Quinn Padilla often quipped, making light of his big toe fashioned into a thumb, following an accident in 2006 that forced him to trade in yet another appendage, his acoustic guitar, for a slide guitar instead. Having undergone dozens of surgeries, Patrick was covered in scars and scrapes, but he never lost the courage to fight or the will to laugh and dream. "I'm in the great hands of my Creator and the God given skill of my doctors," wrote Patrick after receiving the diagnosis of advanced melanoma and heart failure. He quickly learned to manage his chemotherapy and had enthusiastic plans for his future.

Patrick passed peacefully, at home in Fresno, California, on January 22, 2016. He was 55 years old, born on May 11, 1960, in Lindsey, CA, to Bob and Carol Padilla.

Patrick's love of sailing was ignited at Huntington Lake, where he'd stand at the end of a dock with this thumb out, hoping to hitch a ride, years before he could even drive. He joined the Coast Guard at 19, and lived adventures from Humbolt Bay to Hawaii and beyond. He's jumped out of helicopters in the Bering Sea and sailed at sunset (with many of us!) under the Golden Gate Bridge. He was the voice of the High Sierra Regatta, the sailing event closest to his heart and the source of countless friends. He loved to sing and pick his guitar. Patrick loved to cook and feed people.

It was while using these gifts and working at Hume Lake Christian Camp that he met his future wife, Karen Madden, who became a Padilla in 1985, after marrying in Toledo, OH.

Patrick's faith in God's grace was perhaps his strongest trait. In the face of his greatest challenge, Patrick wrote, "I am His child and have put my trust in Him!" Patrick loved to share music, and recently posted: "The chorus of my current favorite song: `Wash me in Angels, Bathe me in light, Awaken new day at the end of this night, My heart remains steadfast, I sing with great might, Wash me in Angels, Bathe me in Light.' I sing and pray this over all of us!"

Patrick joins in Heaven his father, Bob Padilla; his grandparents; and the most recent arrival, his aunt, Barbara Foster Pennington. Patrick is survived by his wife Karen; daughter Wendie Sheen and her husband Charlie; daughter, Alyssa Padilla and her fiancé, Cole Shepherd; son Quinn; grandchildren, Charlotte and Nathan; mother, Carol Edwards Padilla Dau and her husband Peter; brother, Michael Padilla and his wife Karen; sister, Erin Stuart and her husband Steve; sister, Megan MacGillivray and her husband David; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of Patrick's Life will be held at New Hope Community Church, 4620 E Nees Ave, Clovis, CA, on Saturday, February 6, 2016, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: GarySiniseFoundation.org which uses funds to entertain, care for and inspire our troops. Patrick would have loved that!

Thank you to Tammy Baker Moeller class of 1979 for notification.

Published November 25, 1978 Lansing State Journal

Published August 24, 1978 The Fresno Bee

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Published November 12, 1978 The Fresno Bee 

Published January 30, 2016 the Fresno Bee

NOTE - The Padilla family moved from California to Okemos because father Bob Padilla was brought to MSU as defensive football coach by then new head coach Darryl Rogers. Previously, Padilla had coached under Rogers at San Jose State for seven years. The following obituary information for Pat's parents, Bob and Carol, is included to enhance Pat's life path.

Bob Padilla Jr Obituary

Husband, father, coach and mentor, Bob Padilla passed away at home in Madera, California on Monday, October 15, 2007, at the age of 71.Bob was born in Santa Ana, California to Abigail and Robert Padilla. He graduated from Anaheim High School and then Fresno State College, where he played football and formed lifelong friendships. He earned his Master's Degree in Physical Education at the University of Northern Arizona. Bob's first teaching and coaching job was at Lindsay High School.

While in the San Joaquin Valley town, he met Carol Ann Edwards. They married on October 3, 1959, and they were by each other's side for 48 years.

Through the 1960s, Bob is remembered for touching hundreds of young men's lives as a high school coach at Lindsay, Sanger, Parlier and Central High School. His college coaching career began at Fresno State in 1968, followed by stints at San Jose State (1973-1976), Michigan State (1976-1978), Fresno State (Head Coach (1978-1980), Washington State (1980-1982) and Arizona State (1982-1984). He then coached in the NFL and the CFL starting with the Houston Oilers (1984-1986), and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1987-1991) where he retired from pro-coaching after winning two National Championships, and the Grey Cup.Bob and Carol then returned to the Fresno area to be closer to family. Bob was named the first Athletic Director of Buchanan High School. At the time of his stroke in 2001, he was a Scout for the St. Louis Rams.

Bob is survived by his wife Carol; and his children, Pat and his wife Karen, Mike and his wife Karen), Erin and her husband Steve, and Megan and her husband David; his niece Rosanna; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two brothers and three sisters.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Mountain View Community Church in Fresno on Saturday, October 20, 2007, at 12:00 noon.Remembrances may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 83 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93710; or Saint Agnes Hospice, P.O. Box 27350, Fresno, Ca. 93729.FAREWELLFresno, Ca. (559)440-0484

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