Melcor "Mel" B. Padilla

Melcor “Mel” B. Padilla, age 72, entered the kingdom of heaven into the arms of his savior in the early morning of Sunday, May 1, 2011. He was born in Quemado, New Mexico to Prudencio Padilla and Guadalupe Baca. He was baptized in August of 1938, his sponsors being Eloy Tafoya and Primitiva Leyba. Mel was born and raised in Quemado and went to school in San Antonio, New Mexico. He made his first communion at St. Michael's Church in Socorro, New Mexico in 1950. At a very young age Mel recognized his responsibility to his family and engaged in any type of work he could find; shining shoes for extra cash as well as working at local farms and ranches in the community to assist his parents financially. He ultimately joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 1955, later transferring to the U.S. Army where he received his GED. He served as a Demolition Specialist and was an expert marksman. He was discharged in February of 1959. In 1961, Mel served as a Deputy Sheriff for the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department. On November 25, 1961, he married his childhood sweetheart Cecilia Ramon, from Socorro, New Mexico, the one true love of his life their sponsors were Johnny and Emilia Gallegos. He worked as a mechanic for Ed Black's Chevrolet dealership in Albuquerque, and then went on to work for the City of Albuquerque with the Water Department where he retired after 25 years of service. He did occasional work on the side at Ladis Plumbing and Heating, Sunny Fresh Foods, and Wal Mart in Belen where he knew just about everyone in the local community. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Nick Padilla of Socorro, New Mexico. Mel is survived by his honey dear wife of 49 years, Cecilia Ramon Padilla; two cherished daughters, Peggy Montoya and husband, John and Irene and husband, Scott Burton; his precious grandson, Noah Jeremiah Burton; brother, Eddie Padilla and wife, Bertha; sisters, Sally Tourville, Carolyn Franklin and Marcy Braboy, as well as many nieces and nephews who all referred to him as Uncle Coy; one nephew in particular, Robert Lee Hancock, whom he considered as another brother. All services will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, on Thursday, May 5, beginning with a public visitation at 10:00 a.m. with a Funeral Service to be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at a later date. Sign Mel’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Melcor "Mel" B. Padilla

May 2, 2011