Howard Padgett

Howard Richard Padgett, 73, passed unexpectedly to his Heavenly Father on April 7, 2013. He celebrated his golden wedding anniversary on August 18, 2012 with his beloved wife Estella who he adored from the moment he met her. After a two week courtship, he proposed marriage and she accepted. They were married at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Louisville's West End where they both grew up. Howard was the loving and proud father of six children and devoted grandfather to seven grandchildren. As the oldest of 11 siblings, he had 18 nieces, and nine nephews. Howard was born July 4, 1939 in Muldraugh, KY and was a lifelong resident of Louisville. He was Catholic and belonged to Mary Queen of Peace Parish where he previously served on the Parish Council. He attended St. Denis Grade School, Bishop Flaget High School and Butler High School. Howard was a retired foreman for Loudon Sheet Metal and a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 110. He applied his trade to many of the large commercial structures throughout the Louisville region. Howard was a compassionate person and a man of courage and particularly enjoyed helping the less fortunate. Volunteerism played an important role in his life. He dedicated time to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helping feed the poor. He never met a stranger and was a prolific storyteller just like his father. He loved being outdoors in nature, gardening, reading thoroughbred horse racing and he was a dedicated fan of both the University of Louisville Cardinals and Bellarmine University Knights men's and women's teams. He was a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and lifelong Democrat. Howard was preceded in his death by his parent's, Wilbur Anthony Padgett and Mary Lee Zweydoff; two sisters Clara Knauer and Jean McDowell. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Estella Bailey; his six children, Paula (Greg) Evans, Laura, Dale (Darlisa) of New Hope, PA, Craig, Kelly (Jody) Kirwan and Christopher (Brian Voelker); his grandchildren, Ashley, Jack, Justin, Daniel, Erin, Kayla and Andrew; four brothers James (Catherine); Charles (Evelyn), Wilbur (Linda) and Kenneth (Darlene) and four sisters Mary Frances Padgett, Carolyn Ann (Ted) Hart, Sylvia (Jerry) Bennett, and Nancy (Michael) Sego, and many loving cousins and extended family members. A funeral mass celebrating his life will be held Wednesday April 10, at Mary Queen of Peace (St. Helen Campus), 4005 Dixie Highway with burial to follow in Louisville Memorial Gardens West. Visitation will be held at Ratterman Grand Chapels, 4832 Cane Run Road, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Donations can be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to help feed the poor. A gift of your time and talent to someone in need would be very meaningful to Howard and reflect his generosity of spirit.

Howard Padgett

July 4, 1939 - July 4, 1939