Marshall Padilla (87) - The world lost a self-made man on November 17, 2020. Born in Madera, he and his three brothers were the first generations of his family born in the United States. Raised by his mom, Marshall and his brothers often heard, “Work or go to school!” In his early years, the family traveled from Madera to areas up north and to the Central Coast to pick whatever crop his mom could get them hired to harvest. The boys were always back in school at the end of the harvest season and this paved the way for three of the Padilla boys to graduate from Fresno State College while the fourth went on to serve as a career military officer.
In junior high, Marshall worked as an orderly at Dearborn Hospital, sometimes having to step in and help the doctors deliver babies when the nurses were called elsewhere. Later he worked setting up displays and selling shoes for Brammer Shoes while going to high school.
After graduating from high school in 1952, Marshall sold his beloved 1939 Ford and went into the Air Force hoping to become a pilot during the Korean conflict. Learning he was color blind, he reluctantly accepted that he would be a ground pounder and became a statistician. Stationed in Japan, he developed a love and respect for the Japanese and their culture.
Upon his discharge from the Air Force in 1956, he married the love of his life, Shirley Miller. Next, he enrolled at Fresno City College and went on to Fresno State College. He took night classes so he could work full-time. Encouraged by Mr. Brammer to continue improving himself, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. In 1961 he started a career with the State of California Employment Development Department that spanned more than 33 years. He retired as the District Tax Administrator for Madera, Merced, and Mariposa Counties after setting records for the most audits completed by a single office.
During all those years Marshall: used his artistic talent to design mascots for the kids’ sports teams; designed the home he lived in for 54 years; water skied; learned to fly an airplane; owned successful racehorses; went on numerous elk, antelope, and deer hunting trips; coached two Little League teams; provided scholarships to high school graduates planning to attend college and major in business; mentored numerous employees who went on to higher positions; maintained the New Hope Southern Baptist cemetery; served on two federal grand juries; rejoined St. Joachim’s Catholic Church and served as an usher for many years; served on the Madera Unified School Board for two terms; ran a successful used car business; helped at various school functions while the kids attended Howard School; served as the treasurer for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; dropped off food and supplies to the various agencies and outlets in town that served those in need.
Except when out on the water, his foot ware of choice was his trusty cowboy boots, even when he coached baseball. Those boots never slowed him down and he always outran the kids on the team.
In retirement, he and Shirley traveled the world, visiting China, the Holy Land, Mexico, Italy, and other foreign lands. He joined the VFW and American Legion and became the captain of his own small navy once he caught the fishing bug and began collecting and trading fishing boats. Each fall he continued to hunt deer. He and Shirley enjoyed the dances at the Bergon Center on Friday nights.
On his last day on Earth, Marshall was outside working in the yard that he loved in his favorite pair of boots. He always wanted the end to be swift and painless and he got his wish.
Marshall was preceded in death by an infant sister, his parents Nabor and Faustina Padilla, his brothers Joseph and Manuel, and his son-in-law John Ward. He was married for 64 years to Shirley, who survives him along with children Tamra, Wayne (Lisa), and Douglas (Rosa). He is also survived by brothers Raymond and Nabor, and his sisters Martha, and Bertalicia. He also leaves behind grandchildren Ryan, Christian (Ashley), Catherine (Jeremy), Wayne, Ann-Marie, Kyle, Kaitlyn, and his great-grandchild Emma along with numerous nieces and nephews. His trusty Labrador Retriever Shylo continues to grieve his absence.
Because of the limits on group gatherings imposed by Covid-19, the family will announce a memorial service next year once it is safe to meet again.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests a donation in Marshall’s name to Valley Children’s Hospital, the Madera Rescue Mission, or the Holy Family Table in Madera.