Hector Manuel Padilla Villafana

Hector Manuel Padilla Villafana, known to many as a beacon of warmth and strength, passed away on May 30, 2025, in Colorado at the age of 55. Born on April 04, 1970, in San Juan De Los Lagos, Jalisco, Mexico. Hector was the beloved son of Cecilia Villafana and the late Gilberto Padilla.

Hector aka Hongo was a man who wore many hats, not just in his professional life but in the roles he played for his family and friends. He would be the first to offer you the shirt off his back and then invite you in for a meal. He had a natural gift for connecting with people and making people around him feel supported and loved. Whether it was helping a neighbor in need or simply being there to listen, Hongo’s presence was a source of comfort and strength.

Hector is survived by his four loving fur babies, 2 children; Hector Padilla, (Joanna), Cecilia Padilla (Javier), four grandchildren; his mother; Cecilia Villafana, 2 brothers, 5 sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Gilberto Padilla and brother Alejandro Padilla.

One of the kindest souls on the planet, our father will be forever missed.

To honor Manuel’s memory, we encourage all those who knew him to share or upload their memories, stories or pictures of him to his memorial page. In doing so, we keep his spirit alive and remember the joy, wisdom, love and kindness he brought to our lives.