THOMAS DIEL

Thomas G. Diel was called home to the Lord unexpectedly on Thursday, December 12, 2013. Tom was born in Fresno February 22, 1934. He lived the majority of his life in Fresno. Tom graduated from Edison High in 1951 and earned a Bachelors degree in engineering from University of California, Berkeley in 1956. He married his childhood sweetheart, Beverly Huber in 1954. He briefly served in the United States Army at Aberdeen, Md. While fulfilling his duty of seven years of active reserve, he returned home to Fresno to work with his father, Daniel Diel and Uncle Henry Diel the Hamms and Budweiser beer wholesalers of Fresno. He and his partner Franklin Diel; Henry Diel's son, were the Budweiser beer wholesalers in Fresno/Madera county until 1983. Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman. He and his wife Beverly spent their retirement traveling, seeking out the best fishing holes. His favorite "hot spots" were Vancouver Island, British Columbia and Baja Mexico. In 2000 Tom traded in his fishing rod for a shovel then he and his wife Bev moved to Arroyo Grande on the central coast. He lived out his remaining years there, enjoying walks on the beach, gardening and serving in his church, Grace Church of San Louis Obispo. Tom is survived by his wife, Beverly Diel; his daughter, Cheryl "Cheri" Diel; and step-father Edward Silva. Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, December 19, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Friday, December 20, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made to BSF International, 19001 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX 78258-4019; Riverpark Bible Church of Fresno; Grace Church of SLO or the donors favorite charity. Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno, California (559)227-4048