PUTTING GENETIC TENDENCIES INTO PRACTICE

By Dave Friant

An enjoyable beginning to bundle up weather in North Texas. Still another occasion when interacting with a bright and still on top of his game octogenarian moves the needle.

Toss another log in the fireplace and hunker down in that temporarily moved for Christmas season form-fitting recliner. Discard the dynamics of the Evelyn Wood speed reading course to get a sound glimpse of a gentleman who continues to maximize the positives in life.

George Padilla was born in Dallas and turned 20 short of a century years old in the Fall of 2025. The oldest of three children, he attended North Dallas High School and graduated in 1963. Academic pursuits followed which included Pre-Law at UT Arlington, a transfer to the University of North Texas (UNT) as a Radio and Broadcasting major, and later an Arts and Science degree recipient from Mountain View College in Dallas. Citing emphasis by his granddad concerning the importance of being well-informed and a good listener, Padilla recalls the 2nd grade as being the starting point regarding his interest in communication-type activities. “I was like a sponge and enjoyed listening to the broadcasting of news on radio and television,” reveals Padilla whose oratory skills revert back to contests and speaking assignments in elementary school. His granddad subscribed to two newspapers and our featured celebrant would read them daily.

Padilla received the “greetings” letter from Uncle Sam shortly after his departure from UNT college studies. He was drafted into the US Army in 1967. His was a 4-year stint which included a 13-month assignment at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in conjunction with the capture of the USS Pueblo. College coursework and a well-articulated general interest/experience in conveying data made him the selectee for Information Specialist duties within the Public Information Office. Primary tasks involved managing media relations, interviewing officers in conjunction with occurrences near the DMZ, and having short conversations with soldiers regarding unclassified “bread and butter” matters. The talks with the soldiers were recorded and sent back to their families in an effort to calm fears.

He was also known as “Guerilla Padilla” thru Armed Forces Radio during the three occasions he was on the air. Not nearly as Hollywood-ized, but references to Robin Williams in his role as Adrian Cronauer behind the mic in the movie Good Morning Vietnam could have been easily drawn as he worked towards mastery of the craft.

Padilla in 1968 interviewed Bob Hope and met Ann-Margaret in conjunction with a USO show. “That year was instrumental in the forming of real-life perspectives from experiences which differed considerably from academia,” says Padilla. He was in an area where Agent Orange contaminated drinking and bathing water. Relief was sought and the effort successful which resulted in the granting of a 40% disability.

He uses the word multiplicity when describing his post-military experiences. “I’ve had lots of fingers in lots of pies,” indicates Padilla who worked four years in broadcast-related positions in North Carolina upon exiting the Army. NBC was one of those employers, as were three radio stations. He was a news director and additionally did many TV and radio commercials.

In conjunction with the death of his father, Padilla returned to Texas in 1975. Broadcast journalism and related forms of information exchanges continued to be his primary niche. His abilities to become proficient with another set of skills were also realized for 13 years as a diamond store manager. Putting into usage was his grandad’s mantra of “If you can do it, do it.”

His ventures have continued to be virtually non-stop since the return to the Lone Star state. They include a registered radio news program (PADMAN) which aired Saturday mornings for nine years, TV and radio commercial readings, activities with the North Texas Radio for the Blind, master of ceremonies for a variety of entities, an untold number of speaking engagements, movie extras in motion pictures, and a small part in a Walker, Texas Ranger show. Space demands limit a further listing of undertakings over the years. Can you say Energizer Bunny on steroids?

Acknowledgments of achievements include his membership in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and selection as a Telly Award recipient in the military documentation category.

It’s inspiring to mingle for a couple of hours with a real trooper whose mom and granddad provided the inspiration for him to excel “as long as it was legal and moral.” Recalled is the adage “keep your feet on the ground while reaching for the stars” when he thinks about guidance given way back when. Inquisitive. Engaging. Two words that characterize Padilla and keeps him from sitting it out during his later years.