Ralph Diaz

Ralph Diaz, 80. Our beloved Husband and Father, went to his heavenly home on June 29, 2022.  He is survived by his wife, Carole Johnson Diaz and his three daughters, Robyn (Michael) Davis of Coralville, Iowa, K. Dawn (Jack) Stubblefield of Corpus Christi,  and Christina Diaz of San Antonio.  He leaves behind five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Schyler Davis of Nashville, TN , Quentin and Alina Davis of Coralville, Taylor Stubblefield of Corpus Christi and Sylvia Martinez Powell (Thomas), Kingston and Matthew Powell. As well as his sisters and brothers, Sylvia Diaz, Priscilla Diaz, Ishmeal "Milo" Diaz and James Diaz.
Ralph was born to GB and Estella (Cantu) Diaz on September 27, 1941  and graduated from Ray High School in 1960. He attended Del Mar College 1961-62.  After that he joined the Air Force and served as a med tech based at Scott Air Force Base near St. Louis, IL.  There he met the first love of his life, Sue Amann Diaz.  They were married August 4, 1967.  They moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1968 and lived and grew their family there until they moved back to Corpus Christi in 1984.  When they moved to Corpus, Ralph became the co-owner of Corpus Christi Disposal and he co-founded Envirotech Carriers with his brother, Milo. Ralph believed in God, his family, his country, and his community and served them all until God called him home.  He served as a member of the Del Mar Board of Regents 1990-2000 and the Board of Trustees 1994-2000. He served as President of the Del Mar Board of Regents.  He was inducted into the Del Mar Students Wall of Fame in 2000.  He received the Hispanic Businessman of the year award in 1985 and 1993 from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for his dedication to his community.  He also served on the Tuloso Midway Board of Education for many years.  He served on many nonprofit boards, including the U.S.S. Lexington and Goodwill.  He served as a deacon in his church for many years.  After the death of his Susie, he found a second love of his life, Carole Johnson. Ralph and Carole were married on April 5, 2019.  They enjoyed being together and loving life as much as their health allowed.
Dad will always be remembered for his fierce love of God and his family.  He was a fun and funny man and had a great sense of humor unless you messed with “his girls.”  Then you saw the TIGER in him come out. Dad was a quiet and dignified man, often soft spoken. People who did not realize that the more soft spoken Dad became, the more trouble you were in. (Although his girls knew this well!) Things were serious when you encountered the one raised eyebrow. We were blessed with a father who was an incredible role model and who taught us that service to others was one of the most important pursuits in life. Dad also passed on his passion for education to his girls - resulting in two teachers and one community organizer.   His kindness and generosity was available to everyone he met whether you were a friend or a stranger.  Nothing made him prouder than to brag about his daughters’ or his grandchildren's accomplishments.  Despite being in South Texas, he was a loyal (Green Bay) Packer Backer until the very end.  Ralph was always there to make you smile, or give a word of encouragement, or a good laugh (sometimes at his own expense).   Through it all, the strength of his faith in God was evident in everything he did.  He was an avid collector of all things (you should see the house) but his favorite collections were his vintage and antique cars.   He also collected ball caps from all over.  We may send him to the pearly gates with the one he never got to wear from youngest granddaughter’s future college - or maybe just a silly pair of glasses.  No matter what, his family prays that when you think of Ralph, you remember him with joy and love and a smile in your heart.  And remember what he always said - Know that God always loves you!

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 3:00PM also at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. Interment will be on July 13, 2022 at 10:00AM at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Ralph's name to two of his favorite charities:
St. Labre Indian School                                                      Team Church
112 St. Labre Campus Drive                                              ℅ Sam Douglas
Ashland, MT, 59003                                                           177 Ridge Point Circle
Heath, TX 75126