Ernesto Martinez Padilla, 77, of La Paloma, Texas passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. Ernesto was born on October 28, 1944, to Catarina Martinez Padilla and Jesus Padilla Sr. Ernesto M. Padilla was a retired truck driver who enjoyed spending his free time with his family and friends. He loved fishing and staying home to watch the Dallas Cowboys games and old western movies. Left to cherish his memories is his loving wife of 46 years Maria Padilla; his seven children, Gilberto Padilla, Rene Padilla, Corina Padilla, Ernesto Padilla, Jr., Chris Jones, Wanda Garcia, and Jose Luis Padilla; 10 grandchildren, Courtney Jones, Sophia Jones, Steven Garcia, Vanessa Garcia, Adelina Truelove, Zada Padilla, Ysabel Padilla, Gabriela Padilla, Baby Joe Padilla, Marianna Padilla; 3 great grandchildren, Noah Nguyen, Thai Nguyen, and Jenesis Padilla; 5 siblings, Jesus Padilla, Jr., Eliseo Padilla, Armando Padilla, Linda Barron and Marti Rivas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Catarina Martinez Padilla and Jesus Padilla Sr.; 4 siblings, Rosita Padilla, Ernestina Padilla, Santos Padilla, and Lupita Galvan. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, TX. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 22101-22149 Farmer Ave, San Benito, TX with interment to follow to Mont Meta Memorial Park. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Jose Luis Padilla, Baby Joe Padilla, Chris Jones, Armando Padilla, Jesus Padilla Jr., Rene Rivas, Juan Antonio Padilla and Ernesto Padilla Jr. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Ernesto Martinez Padilla at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematory, 395 S. Sam Houston, Blvd., San Benito, TX 78586.