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Raul Diaz Obituary

Diaz, Raul
75, of Phoenix, AZ passed away on September 25, 2013 after a long illness. He was born April 26, 1938 in Tolleson, AZ, son of Sotero and Jesusita Diaz. Raul graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1957. He served in the US Army in Alaska and Washington for three years, training to operate heavy equipment which became a lifelong career. As a child on the farm, Raul loved vehicles of all kinds including trucks, cars and tractors. Therefore he was enthusiastic in his nearly 30 year career testing large heavy equipment for Caterpillar at the White Tanks Proving Grounds in Phoenix and later in Tucson. He also gained his pilot's license and took family members and friends on flights around Arizona. Retiring in 2001, Raul was a daily volunteer at Blessed Sacrament Church in Tolleson or at Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in Phoenix. He also joined his friends for weekly breakfasts and had several nieces and nephews both familial and "adopted" to whom he was a wonderful uncle. Raul was pre-deceased by his parents Sotero and Jesusita Diaz and his sister Eloisa (Locha) Diaz Parker. He is survived by his siblings Rodolfo (Rudy), Rachel Diaz, Rebecca Martinez, Sotero (Tody) Jr., Rene, Jesus Leonel and Gabriel in addition to numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. Visitation at 5pm and Rosary at 630pm will be held on Friday Sept. 27 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 512 N. 93rd Ave., Tolleson. A memorial mass will be at Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 9am with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, 10045 W. Thomas Rd. (99th Ave. and Thomas). A reception will follow at Blessed Sacrament Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the community work of Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery, 8502 W. Pinchot Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85037.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Sep. 27, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Lupe Favela

September 27, 2013

Such a dear man. You will be missed at the monastery, Raul.

Mona Lucero

September 27, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Rollie Saenz

September 27, 2013

To the family of Raul our sincere condolences for your loss. May the Lord be with you in your time of sorrow. "May Gof bless your soul Raul, you've earned your inheritence in Paradise". Dan and Joanie Salazar Sr.

September 26, 2013

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