Joseph Padon

March 1, 2008

Adrian Padon, formerly of Buffalo, Wyo., and Tulsa, Okla., passed away March 1 at his home in Corvallis. Adrian was born in St. Louis, Mo., to Joseph and Jene Padon on Nov. 18, 1919. He moved to Tulsa, Okla., at a young age and attended Cascia Hall where he was part of “The great Class of ’38.” He graduated from Andover Preparatory School in 1939 and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1947. Adrian served in the Army Infantry from 1942 until the end of the war in 1945. He served in the campaigns of Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Po Valley, Sicily and Naples-Foggia. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Medal of Good Conduct, Silver Service Star and the EAME (European-African, Middle Eastern Campaign) Service Ribbon. Adrian married Carolyn Rose Purcell of Salt Lake City on Feb. 5, 1949, and moved to Casper, Wyo., to be a part of the energy industry there. Adrian and his brothers, Jack and Pat, formed the Padon Corporation for oil and gas exploration. This company disbanded in the early 1960s. Adrian continued to work as a landman and moved to Buffalo, Wyo., in 1977. During his years in Buffalo, he enjoyed the beauty of the Big Horn Mountains and the culture and history of the area. He made many near and dear friends wherever he lived, was known for his sense of humor and was a philanthropist in the community. Adrian was an avid hiker, skier, canoeist and an excellent golfer. He was a great lover of the natural world and an active member of the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy and the Petroleum Landman’s Association. Adrian was preceded in death by three brothers; three sisters; his wife Carolyn and his eldest son, Joseph Adrian Padon III. He is survived by his sons, Peter Padon of San Carlos, Calif., and Paul Padon of Oakland, Calif.; his daughter, Marian Anderson of Corvallis and two grandchildren, Ian Anderson and Heidi Anderson. A celebration of his life will be in Buffalo, Wyo., this summer at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.