Dennis "Denny" Ray Padilla

Dennis Ray Padilla “Denny” was born on November 4, 1960, and left us all too soon on June 25, 2025. Denny, the oldest of six children, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his family roots also planted in San Rafael and Gallup.

The family moved to Santa Fe when Denny was about five years old where he attended elementary school at Kearney and Nava and graduated from St. Michaels High School in 1978. Denny and his brother Randy played little league baseball, and YAFL football. Denny was also an acrobat on the trampoline, a skill he learned at the Santa Fe Boys Club on Alto Street, (back in the day, it was still called the Boys Club, before it became the Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club as it is called now).

While in high school Denny often went to the Santa Fe Downs Racetrack with his dad, where he became enamored by the excitement of the track and the beauty and speed of the thoroughbred. It was then that Denny began to study the odds, the jockeys, and of course the history of each of the racehorses running that weekend. He started Denny’s Picks, becoming the youngest handicapper at the Downs. Denny could pick the winner, along with second and third place finishers, often picking the perfect Trifecta. He found a calling and he stayed with it throughout his adult years even as he worked along side his dad and brothers building the family vending and snack business, Santa Fe Tom’s Sales. He was a true salesman, and his customers appreciated his commitment to keeping his word and making sure they were stocked up and ready for the day.

Denny was a man of few words, a quiet and private person. But he was the most loyal brother and friend there was. Denny was always there to help his family, his friends and anyone who needed a hand. He never asked anyone for anything, never expected anything in return, and you knew he was always there. He was your silent and steady rock. He is the one you feel lost without, even though you didn’t really know that you needed him and now feel the emptiness without him. Yes, Denny was a man of few words, and now, somehow, there are no words to describe just how wonderful he was.

Denny cared for his aging parents until their passing. He shared his home with his dad - making sure he had food in the fridge and on the table - and his time with his mother, traveling to Rio Rancho several times a week making sure she had what she needed as well. He never let anyone know that he wasn’t well, he just kept giving. He was always generous and never selfish. The love Denny had for his family and friends was constant and true. All who shared in his life were truly blessed.

Denny is survived by his siblings, Cindy (Mark), Randy, Chris (Palonca), and Jerry (Christy), his nieces – Melissa, Nyah, and Grace; nephews – Scott, Matt, Dayton, Jaxon, and Isaiah; great niece - Izaura; great nephews – Jai, Zeke, Xander and Xavier; great niece – Willa; his sibling cousins and dearest friends.

To honor Dennis’ wishes, the family will have a small private celebration of life at the end of the month and sends love and gratitude to all who loved and knew Dennis Ray! And perhaps, consider donating to a favorite charity in his honor.