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PADGETT Shelton E. Padgett, beloved husband, devoted father, prominent attorney, and outstanding community leader, passed away on July 31, 2004, at the age of 56. Born in San Marcos on June 9, 1948, he attained recognition for his academic excellence, professional achievements, political acumen, and far-reaching involvement in community service. He received his B.S. degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1970, and was named Distinguished Alumnus in 2002. With an eye to the future, he was instrumental in securing legislation which changed the name of that institution to Texas State University, the first State-supported school to be so named. Mr. Padgett attended law school at St. Marys University on a full academic scholarship, served as vice president of the student body, was elected to Whos Who in American Colleges and Universities, and received his J.D. summa cum laude in 1973. He became the first St. Marys graduate to clerk for the Texas Supreme Court. Mr. Padgett commenced his professional career in San Antonio in 1976, when he joined a local law firm that specialized in labor and employment law. He was Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and was past chair of the Labor Law Advisory Commission of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, which passes on the certification of lawyers to be labor and employment law specialists. Characterized by colleagues and adversaries alike as the ultimate lawyers lawyer, Mr. Padgett was listed in every edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Whos Who in American Law since 1987, and was a fellow of the San Antonio and Texas Bar Foundations. At the time of his death, he headed the Labor & Employment Law section of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, in the San Antonio office. He was the current Chairman of the Board of the VIA Transit System in San Antonio, and a director of the Austin-San Antonio Intermunicipal Commuter Rail District and the San Antonio Mobility Coalition. Mr. Padgett was involved in many civic activities and served as a member of the board of directors of the San Antonio Manufacturers Association, the Lutheran General Hospital in San Antonio, the Texas Lyceum, and the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. He also served as President of the SWTSU Alumna Association, and as a trustee of the SWTSU Development Foundation and the Blessed Sacrament Academy Foundation. In his personal life, Mr. Padgett was devoted to his wife, Marie, and two children, Shelton Edward Ted Jr. and Daniela Nellie. Through his generosity and unselfish commitment of time and resources, he touched innumerable lives, opening doors and providing guidance and opportunities. He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Sybil Padgett. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his sisters, Sharon Johnson and Virginia Montgomery of Memphis, TN; uncle and aunt, Carl and A. J. Dobie of New Braunfels; and special friend and assistant, Elaine Mandujano. SERVICES Visitation for Mr. Padgett will be held on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. The prayer vigil/rosary will be held on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 at 7:00 PM at St. Pauls Catholic Church. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, August 5, 2004 at 10:00 AM at St. Pauls Catholic Church with Father Jimmy Drennan officiating. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Mission Burial Park North. Serving at pallbearers will be the Honorable Trey Martinez Fischer, Tommy Daniels, Alex-Michael Garcia, Daniel Palomo III, Michael Galo Jr. and Glenn Levy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made on behalf of Mr. Padgett to St. Anthonys Catholic School, 205 Huisache, San Antonio, TX 78212 or St. Mary's University School of Law Shelton E. Padgett Memorial Scholarship, C/O Advancement Services, 1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Mission Park Funeral Chapels North.

Tributes

Shelton E. Padgett

June 9, 1948 - July 31, 2004