James Padilla

Henry “James” Padilla 67, passed away on April 22, 2023, in the comfort of his home in Dallas, Georgia. 

James was born on March 5, 1956 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is predeceased by his parents, Henry Padilla, and Brenda Wehry; and his maternal grandparents, Celedon and Rose Lujan.

In high school, James excelled in baseball, basketball and track, and won numerous awards on the local and state levels.  He received a scholarship for Track and Field to New Mexico Highlands University.  In 1974, James was chosen as a “Prep All-American National Award Winner,” for his record of strengths, successes, and accomplishments as one of the nation’s best high school basketball athletes. In 2008 James received an Alumni legacy award from Pojoaque High School for his outstanding athletic achievements. James worked for Randal Lowe Plumbing for 37 years.  In 2000 he received the “Construction Education Foundation of Georgia’s Student of the Year” award, and obtained his Master Plumber license in 2001.

James is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Beverly Padilla; his son James Padilla and his wife, Lynda Pittsley-Padilla of Hiram, Georgia; his two grandchildren, Krystalin Padilla and Lucas Pittsley; his sisters Gayle Lowe and her family of Dallas, Georgia; Rosemary Ottenweller of Lake Charles, Louisiana; and eight half-siblings of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Columbus, Georgia.

Messages of condolence may be posted at www.jones-wynn.com.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society www.donate.cancer.org , or Tunnels to Towers www.t2t.org.

Visitation with the family will take place at West Cobb Church, 1245 Villa Rica Road, SW, Marietta, Georgia 30064, on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 1:00-2:30 p.m., with the Memorial Service to follow at 3:00 p.m.