Joseph (José) Ramon Padilla, 87, of Roseburg, Oregon, passed away March 18, 2026, at home as a result of pulmonary fibrosis. Joseph was born in Springer, New Mexico, in August 1938, to Alfredo E. Padilla and Adelina (Olona) Padilla.  The family lived in Dawson, New Mexico, until 1950 when they moved to Springer, New Mexico. Joseph served in the New Mexico Army National Guard for seven years. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, then moved to Roseburg, Oregon, in 1964 and taught at Roseburg High School for 34 years until he retired in 1998. In 1980, the Rotary Club selected him as High School Teacher of the Year.  He also taught at Umpqua Community College and worked for the Douglas County Road Department during summer hiatus. He did volunteer work at St. Joseph Church and Mercy Medical Center. He served on the Board of Directors at the YMCA and at DougCo Schools Federal Credit Union. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, past president of the Roseburg Education Association, and past chairman of St. Joseph Parish Council. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he held many offices, including Grand Knight, Warden, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary.

On June 12, 1965, in Sutherlin, Oregon, he married Maureen Mullins, who preceded him in death in 2024. Joseph is survived by their son, Stephen, and his wife, Judi, of Fort Davis, Texas, and their daughters, Tori, Krissi, Jessie, and Eli; their other son, Drew, and his partner, Kendra, of San Francisco, California; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Alfredo (Tuffy) Padilla, in 1979; his mother, Adelina (Della) Padilla, in 1984; sister Gloria, 1987; brothers Alfred and Ofelio, 2001; sister Phyllis, 2012; sister Martha, 2013; brother Robert, 2015; and sister Margaret, 2019. Reading of the Rosary will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:30AM, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Roseburg, Oregon, a memorial Mass to follow at 12:10PM, concluding with a reception at Linus Oakes Retirement Village at 1:30PM. Private cremation rites have already been held.

Joseph requested that there be no floral gifts. He hoped those who can do so would make donations in his name to the Mercy Foundation, 2700 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, Oregon, 97471; to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 800 W. Stanton St., Roseburg, Oregon, 97471; or to any St. Jude's Children's Hospital.