Darell Padilla

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Darell Padilla. He was born in Española on Thursday, November 12, 1987 to Nancy Padilla. He was one of 2 sons that grew up in Española. He has returned home to our Lord in Heaven on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque at the age of 31. He was preceded in death by his aunt, Phyllis Padilla-Gonzales. Darell was a graduate of Northern New Mexico College where he earned his Bachelors degree in Film and Digital Media Arts and was in the process of pursuing his Master’s degree in Psychology. At the age of 29, he wrote his first book, The Devil’s Playground; which has poems of poverty, abuse, violence, drugs and crime, A life of Hell. Miraculously when God came into his life in the strength of his new found faith, he battled the odds and circumstances that few could have conquered to build a world of achievement that once seemed unimaginable. He realized how it is to be strong, dedicated, compassionate and have a strong will, all thanks to God. If you were fortunate enough to know Darell you would know the loving, kind hearted person he was, even throughout his most difficult days. He was in the process of making his second book and making a documentary. He is gone but will never be forgotten. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Mr. Padilla is survived by his life partner/fiancé, Angel Martinez; children, Kaylee, Karlee and Kaleb; loving mother, Nancy Padilla; Jerome Arroyos, whom he looked up to; beloved brothers, Dominic Padilla and Kevin Gallegos; grandparents, Angie and Gilbert Padilla; God-mother, Barbara Padilla; aunts, Angela Romero; and uncle, Ruben Padilla and numerous other relatives and friends. Public visitation will begin on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Peace of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a wake to follow at 7:00 p.m. and a rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Española. Burial to follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Marcos Valdez, Jerome Arroyos, Jordan Dominguez, Mike Kowalczyk, Jerry Archuleta and Angelina Brito. Honorary pallbearers named are, Dominic Padilla, Kevin Gallegos, Angel Martinez, Kaylee, Karlee and Kaleb Padilla and Donna Casados. The family of Darell Padilla has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477