Rev. Kevin Hunt Diaz

Kevin Diaz Obituary

Rev. Kevin Hunt Diaz, 51, died on December 28, 2005, in his rectory at St. Joseph Mission in Mayer, AZ. He had struggled with poor health for the past few years. He was a priest for 21 years. Kevin James Hunt Diaz was born on March 3, 1954 in Pontiac, Michigan. He was the eldest of four sons born to Ernest and Therese Hunt. In 1972 he entered Sacred Heart Seminary for the Archdiocese of Detroit and graduated four years later with a B.A. in History and minors in Theology, Philosophy and Latin. In May of 1980 he received his Master of Divinity from St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, PA. Fr. Kevin applied to and was accepted by the Diocese of Phoenix and served as a deacon intern at Ss. Simon and Jude Parish in preparation for his ordination as a priest by Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien on June 2, 1984. He served as an associate pastor at various parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix – Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glendale, St. Gregory and St. James. In 1996 he was named pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Flagstaff. The parishes in Flagstaff were consolidated and in 1997 Fr. Kevin was assigned to St. Germaine Parish in Prescott Valley to serve as the administrator of the mission attached to that parish, St. Joseph in Mayer. Fr. Kevin had an abiding interest in Franciscan spirituality. He had a great devotion to a simplicity of life, a great love for animals, and genuine compassion for the poor and God's little ones. The arrival of the Poor Clare Sisters in the Diocese of Phoenix brought Fr. Kevin great joy. Fr. Kevin was preceded in death by his father Ernest as well as his brother Andrew. He is survived by his mother, Therese; his brother and sister-in-law Bruce and Rochelle and their children Anthony and Megan; his brother and sister-in-law Rob and Lori and their children Louise and Isabelle; and his sister, in spirit, Susie Melton (Stuart). The family would like to acknowledge the special friendships of Esteban Mendez, Jorge Godinez and Tony and Carol Consentino. A Rosary and Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., Wed, January 4th with an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Mission in Mayer. In lieu of Flowers, Fr. Kevin would wish that donations be made to the Poor Clare Sisters in Black Canyon City, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Home. All friends and relatives are encouraged to visit www.sunrisefuneralhome.com for additional information and to sign the online guestbook.

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Jan. 1, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Kevin Diaz

7 Entries

M/M Schweda

January 8, 2006

What a shock! We are saddened to think that we will not be able to see or speak to you again. You will always be remembered fondly as in the "old days". God Bless you Kevin, and Rest In Peace...your work is done.

GUILLERMO & LINDA RIVERA

January 5, 2006

"HOW FAR IS HEAVEN." WE WILL DEEPLY MISS U FATHER KEIN,ADIOS,REST IN PEACE. THE RIVERA FAMILIY

John Hosbein

January 3, 2006

One Sunday, Father Kevin's loving re-telling of the Good Samaratin gospel story made those characters come alive for me, two millennia later. The abandoned, beat-up victim of thieves, then the too-busy passers-by, and finally the social outcast who showed compassion and gave real help, all came together in Father Kevin's homily. For me, in a new and meaningful way.

Many Thanks, and he'll be deeply missed.

Rev. Andre R. Boulanger

January 1, 2006

Kevin was a good friend always ready with support and a good word of encouragement.

He will be missed.

Tony & Carol Consentino

January 1, 2006

We have lost a wonderful priest and a great friend. He wanted to be with Jesus and he was ready. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother, two brothers and their families.

Keri (Lindell) DeHerrera

January 1, 2006

I remember Fr. Kevin from my days as a student at St. Gregory Catholic School. He often came into the classroom and spoke to the students. He shared his faith, knowledge, and sense of humor with us. Using Latin prayers in the mass and invoking the intercession of the saints, Fr. Kevin gave us a taste of traditional Catholicism. He was also the priest who shattered my negative perception of the sacrament of reconciliation. He presented it as it really is, an opportunity to come back into the arms of God...which is where I am sure Fr. Kevin is now! I am thankful that I was blessed with a priest like Fr. Kevin in my childhood, and I offer my sympathy to his family and friends. In a world where priests often seem to fall short of living up to the holy orders they accept at ordination, Fr. Kevin was a shining example of how a priest should be. He will be greatly missed.

Sheri and Tim Lacey

January 1, 2006

We are so sorry for Father Kevin's death but know that he is at Jesus side. In 1984 he married us in St. Simon & Jude. He made such a lasting impression on us.

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