Abel Leon Diaz

Abel Leon Diaz, 68, of Thousand Palms, Calif. passed away June 14, 2010 in his home with his lovely family at his bedside after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Santiago Minas, Oaxaca on July 30, 1941. He was the son of Petrona Leon and Jose Diaz. The youngest of six; Eleodoro Diaz, Jose Diaz, Cipriano Diaz, Juanita Diaz and Roman Diaz. He is survived by his loving and amazing wife, Guadalupe who was by his side day and night, due to her loving care his life was prolonged. In addition, he is survived by his daughters from his first marriage, Nora Gomez of Desert Hot Springs, Calif. and Irma Diaz Narvaez of Oaxaca; sons from his second marriage, Sid Diaz, Abel Diaz and Gerardo Diaz, all of Thousand Palms; daughter from his current marriage, Chabeli Diaz, also of Thousand Palms; 17 grand-children; and one great-grandchild. He came to the desert April 7, 1961 at only 19 years old to join his brother Sidronio Rodolfo and worked together in the field of palm tree trimming, being one of the first in the Coachella Valley to provide these services. After the loss of his brother in 1963, in his memory, he worked harder to expand what his brother had started. By 1969, he founded his own company, Economy Tree Service. Being the hard working man that he always was, and his love and passion for palm trees, he was eager to provide more than just palm tree trimming, so he added crane service and all other tree services, establishing what is now Economy Tree and Crane Inc., along with his son Sid Diaz by his side. Sid will now continue to keep alive what his dad loved the most, the palm tree industry. Because of his generosity he helped most of his family to settle here in the valley and becoming the pioneer of the people in his birthplace town of Santiago Minas, Oaxaca to follow his footsteps here in the Coachella Valley. The memory of a hardworking man will always be remembered as a man who helped reunite families and help others with their needs. He was impatient and tempered but with a great big heart. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Sidronio Rodolfo Diaz; eight month old baby, Javier; and a newborn, Maria. Visitation will be held Thursday June 17, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Forest Lawn, Cathedral City. A Mass service will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday June 18, 2010 at St. Louis Church in Cathedral City, given by his long time friend, Father Miguel Ceja, following graveside services at Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City.