John Kalaukoa Diaz

1967 - 2009

BORN

1967

DIED

2009

John Diaz Obituary

John Kalaukoa Diaz passed over to our Father on Jan. 1, 2009, in his home in Deer Lodge. He was born on June 23, 1967, in Corvallis, Ore., where his father was attending college. He grew up in his younger years in the country in Washington state and in Hawaii. In Washington, he learned to hunt and care for farm animals.

He returned to Hawaii, with his twin brother, to complete his high school years. He graduated from Kaneohe High School in 1986. He and his twin brother played their last football game against their father's team from Farrington High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, and won the game. He returned to Montana in 1987.

He was a carpenter/contractor by trade, and loved working with wood. He was in the Montana National Guard for 8-1/2 years, where he earned his badge for being an excellent marksman, and took special classes on chemicals and post-war recovery.

He loved to cook - his sister remembers his pies. His children remember his barbecues and his holiday dinners. He loved playing Monopoly and Scrabble with his children and family. He loved swimming with his children and his nieces and nephews. He loved watching football and kick boxing with his brother and son. He loved to laugh. He and his twin brother were admired for their beautiful eyes, their smiles, their broad shoulders, and inner strength.

He is survived by his beautiful children: Janosch Diaz (20), Latascha KeAloha Diaz (17), Bettina Kamakahonu Diaz (15), Mathias Kaleo O' Kelani Diaz (13), and John's wife, Brigitte Diaz;

His twin brother, James Akau Diaz, (Helena) and children: Erik, Connie, Jessica, Joshua, Sarah, Tayelor, and Ethan;

His sister, Kathleen Haunani "Nani" (Diaz) Sparks, Belgrade, and her husband Joseph Sparks, their children: Keana Malea Sparks (12) and Jesse Kaaa Sparks (7);

His stepsister, Raissa Maria Diaz (22), who he lovingly provided care for due to her disabilities.

His father, Edward "Skippa" Diaz, retired coach and teacher, Honolulu, Hawaii;

His mother, Jeanette K. Diaz, counselor, Deer Lodge; and

His family in Hawaii, especially his aunties: Marian "Nana' Kahale and Leetha Faleafine, who lovingly provided a home for him and his brother during their high school years.

His sister, Nani, said "He was my friend, my brother, and my protector. He was my dad, part of the time. I went to him for everything. He even handed me over to Joseph, my husband."

His brother, Akau, said "He was my twin, my brother, my everything. We shared time and space. He was with me from the beginning and to the end. He was a good man."

His sister, Maria, said "I miss him, and Shadow (his Lab) misses him."

He leaves us much too early and will be sadly missed by all. He was a good dad and loved his children more than life, itself. He will be cremated and service will be held at the First Assembly of God Church, 2210 Dodge Ave, Helena, at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9.

John will be presented with military honoring of deceased at his service, and his ashes will be buried at Fort Harrison Military Cemetery in Helena.

His cause of death was internal bleeding from a ruptured artery in the liver and advanced cirrhosis of the liver. This was a young, beautiful man and a precious soul, but alcohol stole everything from him, including his life. If this statement of truth can help anyone who is drinking and encourage them to seek help and support, then his life and memory will not be lost. Perhaps they will not leave behind children and family who will grieve the way our family is doing ... because of alcohol. Any donations for chemical dependency treatment can be forwarded to the Rocky Mountain Treatment Center, 920 4th Ave, Great Falls, MT 59604, in the name of John K. Diaz, for alcohol and other drug treatment for those who need but cannot afford.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Henry County Local on Jan. 8, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for John Diaz

4 Entries

nani sparks

January 15, 2009

Kalau was all I was quoted as saying and more. I talked at the service, but i did not share all of my memories. i talked about him as a boy, when we were growing up, however the man whom i was priviledged to know was amazing. I remember polishing his boots and ironing his uniform, before he would go on duty (in the National Guard). He thought it strange that I did not mind doing this. I found it to be a priviledge and an honor. When he got married his wife, Brigitte, did it. It was hard for me to let it go. Silly, i know. Kalau and Brigitte saw many of my "rollercoaster rides" throughout my youth and into my adulthood (twenty years she's been a sister). When my daughter was born, Kalau was there. He gave me a rose, a beautiful one and so very fragrant. That rose meant more than he knew. I reminded him a year or so ago, however he could not believe that that rose would be among my favorite flowers, or the memory one among my most cherished. He and my "sis's" fiance were surrogate dads for my daughter, until I was blessed with her dad (whom she chose as her dad). A man whom my brother was highly suspicious of, until he got to know my husband. Then they were like brothers. My husband has lost a brother, as well I have. I still remember when Kalau handed me over to Joe. He got me up to him and he was all nervous. He asked, "you gonna be okay now? is it okay for me to go over there now?" He was between asking if I wanted to run or stay, I think = }. We shared many Holidays, BBQ's, and fun times, before and after I was married (including some with Eric Newhouse and his family). Kalau was an amazing Uncle to our kids, always loved to give hugs and make them laugh. He loved watching "Spongebob" with them. He would laugh so hard. The kids, i think, enjoyed it more, because he was so much a part of it. He also loved taking them swimming and throwing quarters into the pool for ANY of the kids to dive down and get. He was my " ideal hero" growing up, until something wonderful happened. He fell off of his pedastle I had put him on all my life. I saw him during his happy times, and I saw him in his dark hours, hard times and through a lot of loss and struggle in his life. Not just before his death, but for quite a few years. The wonderful thing for me was I got to know the man who my brother was (not just the ideal image i had created as a child), and he was a wonderful man. Yes, he had flaws, yes there were marrital problems, kids gowing up, not all great childhood memories, however the man he was in life still tried to perceviere through all of this the best he knew how. I called him "the milllimeter man" for the wonderful work he did on finish work and other carpentry and construction. He tried in other facets of his life to be a "millimeter man," as well (trying to get everything perfect for those around him). It did not always work so well, but he always tried.
The first two days after his death i was blank part of the time and crying the other part. my niece, his daughter, spoke to me during this time, I told her that if she needed a strong shoulder to lean on she could speak to Uncle Akau or Uncle Joe. I told her that my shoulder was feeling pretty weak and a bit caved in. I will not forget what she said to me, "It's okay Aunty Nani, my head fits just fine." i told her that my shoulder might not be strong righ then, but it would be there for her always. I hope I said thank you, as well, because she was there for me, just as much. That was how Kalau's shoulder was, too. He may have felt like his shoulder was caved in and weak sometimes, too, but my head always fit just fine. I liked/loved my brother "the hero" when we were growing up, however i will always cherish the memories of the man i got to know during our adult years. What saddens me is that i did not have more time to get to know him, but i suppose we all want more time, don't we? What saddens me is that i did not listen as well as maybe i should have. Wherever you are Kalau please know I Love You and, as your daughter said at the service, "I am sorry."
God Speed on your journey and Be Well my brother and one of my dearest friends...thank you for all you were in my life.

David & Sandra Newhouse Jr

January 9, 2009

John worked for a short while in Glastonbury with me back in 1989 & 1990. My memories reflect of a happy go lucky John who always had a smile from ear to ear. I'll always have happy thoughts of John. My condolences to family & friends.

Eric Newhouse

January 9, 2009

John,
We met as young men back in 1988. We shared so much together. Hunting, Building, praying, excercising, and just hanging out. We both married our beautiful wives within weeks of each other, We shared the pregnancy and birth of 3 of our children, born within weeks of each other. We shared birthdays, holidays, good times and bad, we even shared our home while you were stationed in New Jersey. I remember how it broke your heart being away from your family while in the Gaurd. I am so sorry we lossed touch in the 4 years we left Montana. You will always be remembered as "Uncle John" to my Children and a Friend and Brother to me. I will continue to look after your family down here as I know you will be looking after them from above. I'm sure there will be some really good cooking in heaven now that you've arrived.

Good Bye for now my friend,

Love,
Eric, Margaret, Nick, Laura, Ann, Stephen & Tim

Andy Pescado

January 8, 2009

Bro. Kalau,
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered "come to me.""with tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away. Altough we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.A golden heart stopped breathing, hardworking hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the BEST! Wait for us Kalau as we pass the veil & we'll hang out like the good 'ol days! We love you! Friends til the end! Your Hawaii Bruddah Andy

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results