Anthony Padilla

Funeral Services for Anthony (Tony) Padilla of Las Cruces, New Mexico will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 10:00 am at Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Portales with Pastors Jeff Fox and Ronnie Fox officiating.  Burial will follow at the Portales Cemetery.  A visitation for family and friends will take place at Wheeler Mortuary on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.  Pallbearers are Jesse Robinson, Daniel Pena, Mike Montoya, Jonathon Martinez, Peter Alvarado and Danny Sanchez.  Honorary Pallbearers are Sal Armijo, George Padilla, Phil Aranda, Champ Aranda and Emilio Aranda.

Tony was born on March 9, 1958 in Wagon Mound, New Mexico.  He attended Dora Schools in his younger years. The family moved to Portales and he attended Portales High School where he excelled in sports, especially basketball and track. 

Tony was an HVAC Maintenance Technician and worked most recently for New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.  Tony’s true passion in life was his music. He was a guitarist, singer/songwriter and played professionally with bands in the past.  He also performed as a solo artist and most recently with his wife, Kris in their DJ/Karaoke business. 

Tony was preceded in death by his father Joe Martinez, Sr., sister Connie Foster Martinez, brother Richard Padilla and niece Amber Robinson.  He is survived by his wife, Kris Aranda Padilla of Las Cruces, his mother, Lucy Martinez, brothers Sal Armijo, George Padilla, all from Seminole, Oklahoma, brother Joe Martinez Jr. (Debbie), sister Joann Martinez, both from Portales, lifelong best friend, Mike Montoya of Portales, grown kids, Jenny Tucker of Springdale, Arkansas, Amanda Padilla (James) of San Jose, California, Sonya (Colin) Rodgers of Huntsville, Alabama, Karlee (Frank) Gonzales of Italy, Guthrie (Alise) Ornelas of Las Cruces and 12 grandchildren, many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Tony will be remembered as a talented, funny and kind hearted person who loved life, his family, friends and pets throughout the years.  He was much loved and will be dearly missed but will be held in our hearts forever.

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