Eugenio "Gene" Padilla

Eugenio Gene Padilla, also affectionately known as “Geno” and “Tio”, passed away on July 27, 2026, just shy of his 92nd birthday.

Gene was born in San Cristobal on July 31, 1934 to Max and Eutilia Padilla. He was looking forward to celebrating his birthday with friends and family. Gene worked as a heavy equipment maintenance mechanic for Taos County for many years. He also enjoyed ranching and farming. His favorite pastime was fishing at the Questa Lake and driving to town to visit his friend Rubel and stopping at the store on his way home to buy food for his abundant cat family, his cats were his whole life.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Eutilia Padilla; brothers Teofilo, Larry and Michael; sisters Remifia, Margaret, Lorraine and Nancy.

Surviving him are his niece and caregiver, Lisa Miller (Dale), niece Amanda, nephew Vincent, who all assisted in his care; his brother Jeff (Connie), sisters Bertha Sanchez, Berlinda Barrera, Elsie Romero and sister-in-law Shirley Doneson; an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins and their extended families; and lots of friends he made along the way. Gene will be dearly missed by all.

Honorary pallbearers are Vincent Conklin, Matthew Conklin, Jonathan Romero, Joseph “Panda” Vialpando and Lawrence Vialpando.

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 11:00am in the Evergreen Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos, burial will follow at the San Cristobal Cemetery. A celebration of life and meal will follow at the San Cristobal Community Center.

The family of Eugenio Gene Padilla has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019