John Dietz

John Anton “Tony” Dietz Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, at the age of 90, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on January 6, 1935, in Riviera, Texas, Tony grew up with strong values of hard work, kindness, integrity, and faith that guided him throughout his life. He was thrust into being the man of the house at the age of 18 upon the untimely death of his father due to an automobile accident. Tony stepped into his responsibility, taking over the family farm, with the strength we have all grown to know and love about him. He met his future wife, Barbara Ann Batts, at a Good Friday service at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Vattman in 1955, and they married eight months later on December 29. Together they raised three children (Cindy, Tony Jr, and Colette) and built a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion.

While managing the family farm, in 1965, he started Loyola Beach Vegetable Co. in his backyard, inside his implement shed, packing, selling, and shipping cucumbers, watermelons, squash, and assorted other vegetables. There, with his wife’s help, the business grew to the point that in October 1970, he built a new and larger vegetable packing shed at the beginning of the driveway on FM 628. Barbara Ann took over the bookkeeping in 1973, and together they worked hand in hand with the help of the farming community, who were bringing in their vegetable crops as well.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Dietz, his siblings: baby John and Ann Goetsch, as well as his loving wife Barbara Ann of 68 years. He will be deeply missed by his children Cindy Dietz Reger, John A Dietz Jr. (Susan Dietz), and Colette Walsh (Scott Walsh), and his stepsister Patty Huntley (Charles Huntley). As well as by his eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. And many extended family members and friends who were touched by his warmth, humor, and work ethic.

A holy rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church; with a rite of committal and interment to follow at Vattman Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Bristol Hospice and Treasure Hills Residential Home Care for their excellent care and concern over the last twenty-seven months. Additionally, we would like to thank Sarah Garcia, Diana Solorio, Cindy Flores, Rosie Rivera and all the carers for the hard work and love they provided our devoted Dad.

In this time of remembrance and celebration of John Anton “Tony” Dietz Sr’s life, we would kindly invite you to visit Tony’s obituary page at www.turcottepipermortuary.com. Let us unite in love and support as we celebrate the life of this incredible man!