Jose Jaime Padilla

"Jaime's Tilley hat and walking stick were retired on November 30, 2024, when Jaime passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a long and full 84 years of life.
As we were reminiscing about him, we came across a picture of Jaime about 14 years old, pointing to a far-off location on a globe. He was probably imagining all the places he would visit in his life. As soon as he could drive and got his '57 Chevy, travel and adventure were what he sought. For the next four decades, he burned the rubber on this cars, vans and trucks logging tens of thousands of miles exploring everywhere in North America, from Guatemala to Alaska, British Columbia to Prince Edward Island and everything in between.
He loved life, nature and his family passionately – he didn't do things halfway. When not getting to know the world from the driver's seat, he went hunting, collected firearms and rifles, built a dark room in his home for his photography, and invested in underwater cameras for his scuba-diving. His most recent passion was hiking in his beloved Rocky Mountains, especially Gila wilderness – we can't begin to count the number of backpacking stoves, tents and gadgets he amassed over the years!
Luckily for his friends and family, he loved sharing his travels. His car rides were memorable bonding experiences to Mexico with his friends in his youth. Later in life, scuba-diving, hiking and car trips were chances to learn about him and for him to share important moments with his kids.
We will always remember him with a smile from behind the counter at his liquor stores in Juarez, tranquil behind the wheel cruising the roads, or with his walking stick in hand and Tilley hat on head ready to hit the trail.
His surviving family, wife, Maria Isabel and children, Araceli, Jaime, Nelia, Joel and Laura will look forward to hearing about his new travels, feasts and adventures in his new journey beyond our world.
Salud, buen provecho y buen viaje!"