Arthur S. Padilla, a dearly beloved brother, father, uncle, and grandfather passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 15, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 76.

Art was born November 20, 1944 to Philip and Lydia Padilla. He graduated from LaSalle High School in 1962. He joined the National Guard and soon after became a truck driver, where he traveled all over, meeting people along the way. He made friends and left lasting impressions wherever he went. He enjoyed all music and loved to sing, and he was often invited to sing a song or two with many bands, even singing a song with Flaco Jimenez. No matter where life took him, he always found his way back home. In his liesure time, he enjoyed sharing his stories and funny jokes with his friends over a cold drink. His smile and laughter were contagious and he was someone people were instantly drawn to. He made everyone feel like a friend. In fact, he always said, "I'm a good guy. If I had a friend, you could ask him."

Art was a devout Catholic. His faith deepened after a visit to a healing mass in Del Rio. Years later, his faith grew even more when he met his wife and true love, Olga. Together, they had a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and they founded the Rosary Garden at Mission Espada. He attended countless ACTS Retreats as a team member and Spritual Director, sharing God's love with new brothers and sisters in Christ who would also become his friends. He was a Guadalupano and had a deep devotion to the Rosary and music ministry. He was known by many as "Uncle Art", and will be remembered for his kindness, faithfulness, intelligence, wit, and, of course, his sense of humor. Art always said, "God made a few perfect heads; and the rest, he put hair on!"

Art is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maria Olga Garcia, his parents, Philip and Lydia Padilla, and his baby brother Jimmy Alexi Padilla. He is survived by his siblings, Lillie Leija, Richard Padilla (Diana), Margaret Salinas (Hector), and Hector Padilla, his children, Cindy Casias, Debbie Castañeda (Frank), Irma Gonzalez (Saul), and Mark Garcia (Sophie), his nephews, Jason Salinas, Ryan Salinas, nieces, Diana Bonelli (Joe), AnnaLisa Bacon (Scott), Jamie Turnage, Lydia Hernandez (Chevy), Jennifer Martinez (Clifford), and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 with a Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Southside Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be an outdoor service held at Mission De La Espada Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. In keeping with social distancing recommendations, the mass will be limited to the standing space available, but lawn chairs are welcomed. The interment is to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetary in San Antonio, Texas. Our estimated time of arrival at the cemetary is 11:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, you may send memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to Mission Espada Rosary Garden.