Cesar Jair Padilla was born January 27, 1993 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico to Jose Francisco Padilla, and Rosa Maria Padilla of El Tepehuaje, Jalisco. His family returned to the United States the following year after his father completed his University studies. Cesar died suddenly and unexpectantly from a genetic heart disorder on Saturday June 20th, 2015 in Sacramento. Cesar was a true hero to
both his family and to his community, always giving of himself to make things better. Cesar always said that he was the "cheese" of the cheese sandwich of three siblings his older brother Francisco Padilla, Jr. Cesar attended Ontiveros & Taylor Elementary Schools, Tommy Kunst Junior High and graduated from Pioneer High School in 2011. He began volunteering for the Marian Regional Medical Center's "Volun-teen" program while still in junior high, serving more than 5 years. While in high school, Cesar was in marching and concert bands, the American Red Cross High School Club, AVID, was Student Body President, was a part of the "Link Crew" helping younger students prepare for high school, and Future Leaders of America/Central Coast Future Leaders. Cesar was awarded the Youth Impact Award in 2010 from Santa Barbara County KIDS Network and earned a front page article in the Santa Maria Times (December 1, 2010). . From Pioneer High School, Cesar attended California State University, Sacramento, graduating May 22, 2015 with a Bachelors Degree in Government and had just returned to Sacramento to begin an internship at the State Capitol this summer. He had plans to complete his Masters Degree. While at Sac State, Cesar organized the annual "Beauty Bowl" which raised funds for the Military and for combating hemophilia, served as the Anchorman for Delta Gamma Sorority and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He made friends wherever he went. He always inspired other students to do better, both through his example and through his words. After graduating from Sacramento State University May 22, 2015, he returned to Pioneer High School AVID classes to speak to students about the importance (and fun!) of attending college. Cesar is survived by his parents and siblings, more than 20 aunts and uncles throughout the Santa Maria Valley and California, Nevada, and Mexico. Cesar is also survived by 38 first cousins. He had a special relationship with his grandmother Victoria Jimenez Palacios where he spent many hours helping her to heal from a major surgery when he was just a boy. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Victoria Jimenez Palacios & Antonio Palacios Diaz, his paternal grandparents Mariquita Zarate Zarate & Jose Padilla Aceves; his uncles, Jose Jaime Palacios & Bernardo Guadalupe Padilla.
