Bob Padilla Jr.

Husband, father, coach and mentor, Bob Padilla passed away at home in Madera, California on Monday, October 15, 2007, at the age of 71.Bob was born in Santa Ana, California to Abigail and Robert Padilla. He graduated from Anaheim High School and then Fresno State College, where he played football and formed lifelong friendships. He earned his Master's Degree in Physical Education at the University of Northern Arizona. Bob's first teaching and coaching job was at Lindsay High School. While in the San Joaquin Valley town, he met Carol Ann Edwards. They married on October 3, 1959, and they were by each other's side for 48 years.Through the 1960s, Bob is remembered for touching hundreds of young men's lives as a high school coach at Lindsay, Sanger, Parlier and Central High School. His college coaching career began at Fresno State in 1968, followed by stints at San Jose State (1973-1976), Michigan State (1976-1978), Fresno State (Head Coach (1978-1980), Washington State (1980-1982) and Arizona State (1982-1984). He then coached in the NFL and the CFL starting with the Houston Oilers (1984-1986), and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1987-1991) where he retired from pro-coaching after winning two National Championships, and the Grey Cup.Bob and Carol then returned to the Fresno area to be closer to family. Bob was named the first Athletic Director of Buchanan High School. At the time of his stroke in 2001, he was a Scout for the St. Louis Rams.Bob is survived by his wife Carol; and his children, Pat and his wife Karen, Mike and his wife Karen), Erin and her husband Steve, and Megan and her husband David; his niece Rosanna; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two brothers and three sisters.A Celebration of Life will be held at Mountain View Community Church in Fresno on Saturday, October 20, 2007, at 12:00 noon.Remembrances may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 83 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93710; or Saint Agnes Hospice, P.O. Box 27350, Fresno, Ca. 93729.FAREWELLFresno, Ca. (559)440-0484