Joel Antonio Diaz

Joel Antonio Diaz, 51, of Salinas, California, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center due to complications related to a medical condition.
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A Life Well-Lived
Joel was born on May 17, 1974, in Salinas, California, to Fausto Segura Diaz and Margarita Jimenez Gonzalez. A lifelong resident of Salinas, he graduated from North Salinas High School in 1992.
Joel began his dedicated career in the food industry at the early age of 16 at Food Maxx, where he worked his way up from clerk's helper to Assistant Front End Manager. For the last 21 years, from August 2004 until his passing in October 2025, Joel was a valued employee of Bimbo Bakeries USA.
Joel's heart was truly larger than life. He was known for his great sense of humor, always joking around with family and friends and keeping any room light with laughter. He was deeply selfless, caring, and nonjudgmental, with a unique ability to keep his family informed on current events and technology. An avid sports enthusiast, Joel was a dedicated fan of the Dodgers, the 49ers, and the Lakers.
Above all, Joel's number one priority was taking care of his family. He recently found great joy in his faith, attending Compass Church with his family and being baptized on September 30, 2025. The family is grateful to their Lord and Savior for the time they were given with Joel. Though it will never have been enough time, they are thankful and at peace knowing Joel is with his heavenly Father, restored with a new body-a perfect version of himself, free of all illness. Joel will be forever in their hearts and deeply missed.
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Family
Joel is survived by his beloved wife, Kim Victoria Diaz; his daughter, Jennifer Ann Ruiz (Julio Angel Ruiz); his son, Michael Paul Barraza; and his cherished granddaughters, Zoe Grace Ruiz and Mia Faith Ruiz (arriving January 2026). He is also survived by his mother, Margarita Jimenez Gonzalez; his nephew, Sergio Astian Diaz; and his great-nephew, Nathaniel Diaz.
He was preceded in death by his father, Fausto Segura Diaz, and his brothers, Juan Carlos Lopez Jimenez and Sergio Manuel Diaz.
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Service Details
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Compass Church (Padre Drive location), 830 Padre Drive, Salinas, CA, 93901.