Enrique Diaz

Enrique “Ricky” Diaz was born on April 13, 1976, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Antonio Diaz, Sr. and Gregoria Riley. He attended Richland High School in North Richland Hills, Texas, where he was an exceptional student athlete and where he solidified friendships that would help shape his personality and last his entire life.

He passed away on December 14, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 49. His family and friends are deeply saddened by his sudden and untimely death. We will remember him for his joy, his incredible friendships, and the countless fulfilling and transformative connections he made with everyone he met.

Ricky was an unstoppable force of positivity. He could turn any situation into one of joy and fill any room he entered with the bright energy of the sun. He spent more than two decades behind bars throughout Tarrant County. During that time, he met and served thousands of people from all walks of life, experiencing every imaginable circumstance.

He served folks who would become close friends and extended brothers & sisters. He served folks that went on to become very successful & happy. He also served those who were down on their luck, who needed a little help or hope. He even served folks who weren’t looking for love, but found it in each other, simply by being his regulars.

He served them all drinks and often, those came with advice, or he’d lend an ear when needed, or a shoulder to cry on, he’d tell dumb jokes or would find a way to help them get through the toughest of times. And every time he gave them that huge smile of his - A smile that not only made you feel special, but also made you feel like you could make a real difference in someone else’s life too.

Giving so much of himself for all those years came with a price. For Ricky, it was depression and a struggle with alcoholism. He hid both for many years from so many he loved, and eventually it caught up to him. But because of his family, his legions of friends, loving regulars, adoring co-workers, and—most importantly—an unbreakable belief in himself, Ricky was able to go from an ER hospital bed to completely turning his life around physically, mentally, and spiritually…within a year!

Ricky successfully completed rehabilitation. He got a new job, a new car, and a new place to call home. He took up baking. He even got a new dog to love and care for, which inspired him to consider going back to school to become a veterinary technician.

Ricky strove to prove to himself and to others that he could change his life for the better—and that he still had so much more to give the world. He did exactly that, and we are all so proud of him. We were always proud of him. So much life lived while positively touching the lives of so many—that defines who he was. That is how we will always remember him.

—Long Live Enrique Diaz—

Ricky is survived by his mother, Gregoria Riley; his father, Antonio Diaz, Sr.; his wife, Ruby Diaz; his brother, Antonio Diaz, Jr., and his wife, Melissa; his step-sisters, Janie Rooks and her husband, Larry, and Melissa Collette and her husband, Terry; His nieces and nephews Gabriela Diaz and her husband, Carter, Larryn Rooks, Isabela Diaz, and Daniel Diaz; as well as extended family members and a legion of friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Ricky’s life will be held at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road in Hurst, Texas, on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 2:00PM. A visitation and viewing for family will precede the memorial at 1:00PM. A light refreshment reception will follow the service.