JOSEPH B. 'COACH' PADILLA, age 81 of Las Cruces, NM entered eternal life Monday, August 05, 2024 at Mesilla Valley Hospice - La Posada In Patient Unit.  He was born August 17, 1942 on a hot summer day in Mesilla Park, NM to Guadalupe and Romana Bernal Padilla. Joe was the 8th of nine children; six brothers: Raymond, Gilbert, Ernest, Frank, Eli, Manuel and two sisters: Lupe Romero and Tere Perkins.  He grew up in Mesilla Park playing sports with all his brothers and cousins; but baseball stole his heart.  In 1953, he played on the Giants baseball team and was awarded the MVP of the league.  He attended Court Junior High where he played basketball and football.  At Las Cruces High, he lettered in both baseball and football.  Joe was provided a dual sport scholarship to attended Western New Mexico University, where he married the love of his life Patsy (Garcia), earned a degree in Education, while lettering in baseball and football.  He also received a Masters degree in Education from NMSU and later enjoyed golfing.

He returned to teach at Gadsden High School and Mesilla Park Elementary.  Then opened up Zia Junior High school where he coached basketball, football, track and earned the coveted title "Coach".  He then went on to Coach baseball and football at Las Cruces High where they won the 1975 State Championship in football.  While teaching and coaching he started the Semi-Pro baseball team Spirit of Las Cruces.  He coached his children's football and basketball teams.  Through his coaching and teaching he enlarged the size of our family.  He developed his athletes as though they were his own and treated them with love and respect.  He retired from the Las Cruces Public School System as a PE teacher at Lynn Middle School.

Survivors include his son, Jon Padilla (Lori); four daughters, Roni Padilla (David Bjorsness), Lucinda Agosto (Tomas), Jamine Padilla (Ramar Dixon) all of Las Cruces, and Tryshia Jordan (Matt) of McKinney, TX, as well as a brother, Manuel Padilla (Lupe).  Other survivors include 12 grandchildren: Daniel (Mercedes), Kat, Audi, Mari, Marty, Nate, Mayah, Jackson, Debbie, Alex, Veronica and Selina. Two great-grandchildren: Emery and Preston Gabriel.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Patsy Padilla, a son, Joe (Joey) Padilla, Jr., a grandson Gabriel (Gabe) Martinez and family members from the Almanzar, Weaver, Griego and Padilla sides.

Cremation will take place and a celebration of life will be held in Jan. 2025.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, NM  88005.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces 527-2222.  For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com