OBITUARIES

Louis Diaz 83, El Centro Rick Graham 58, Imperial

LOUIS F. DIAZ Aug. 25, 1933 - July 19, 2017

A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2017, from 6 to 9 p.m. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, El Centro for U.S. Air Force Airman, 2nd Class Police, Louis F. Diaz. Mass will be said at 9 a.m. Monday, July 31 at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, El Centro with Fr. Mark Edny officiating. Burial immediately following at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro. Hems Brothers Mortuary of El Centro is handling the funeral arrangements.

Mr. Diaz was born August 25, 1933 and was an Imperial Valley resident for more than 50 years. On July 19, 2017 Mr. Diaz transitioned from this life due to a short term illness at his home with his loving family by his side.

Mr. Diaz graduated from Edison High School in Fresno, CA. He married the love of his life Elodia in 1959. Prior to retirement Mr. Diaz was a truck driver for 38 years, but soon realized retirement wasn’t’ for him and began working as a shuttle driver for the family business at Rogers and Rogers Nissan. In addition to his passion for work he was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved watching his Denver Broncos during football season.

Mr. Diaz was a devoted husband, father and tata. He was known as the strong silent type, but his one weakness was his family who always put a smile on his face and show cased his larger than life personality. He loved spending time with them doing some of his favorite activities including BBQ , cooking, family trips; including the occasional casino run and spending time with his kids and grandkids at sporting events and 4H, which was always a family affair.

Mr. Diaz was a very selfless man always giving back which was demonstrated in his many years in the United States Air Force at Dover Air Force Base and as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He even served as Grand Knight in 1970.

He was preceded in death by his parents Encarnacion and Pasqula Diaz; parents-in-laws, Mercedes and Guadalupe Garcia; son, Louie M. Diaz and granddaughter, Melissa “Melisee” Diaz.

Mr. Diaz is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Elodia; daughters, Mary Helen Sanchez and Terri (Les) Rogers; grandchildren, Vanessa Rogers and Justin (Valerie) Sanchez; and great-grandson, Liam Sanchez, who was the twinkle in his eyes; sister, Monica Zarasua and a host of sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

“I am strong, but I am tired.”

RICK GRAHAM Aug. 4, 1958 - July 15, 2017

Memorial services for Ricky Leon Graham, 58, of Imperial, will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Frye Chapel & Mortuary in Brawley. Rick passed away at home on Saturday, July 15, 2017.

Rick was born on August 4, 1958 in Calexico to Benjamin Graham and Betty Price. Along with his sister Pam, Rick was raised in Imperial, graduating from Imperial High School in 1976. After graduating from high school, Rick worked at Safeway in Brawley for two years. Rick had fond memories of his days at Safeway and the people with whom he had worked. In the summer of 1978 Rick learned from a neighbor that the phone company was hiring operators in the El Centro office. Rick applied and, on July 7, 1978 Rick began working for Pacific Bell as an Operator. During his career with the phone company Rick worked as an Operator, an Installer, a Maintenance Splicer, and a Construction Splicer. At the time of his death Rick had been employed by AT&T for 39 years, having celebrated his 39th anniversary on July 7, 2017.

In 1983 Rick met the love of his life, Ronna Underwood. On March 16, 1985 Rick and Ronna were married and began their life together with their two sons, Gabriel and Brian. In March of this year, Rick and Ronna celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary. Rick enjoyed spending time with family and friends; watching baseball and Nascar; and bowling.

Rick was preceded in death by his stepfather Pat Crow; paternal grandparents, Jesse and Gordy Graham, and maternal grandparents, Wes and Pauline Price.

Rick is survived by his wife, Ronna Graham; sons, Gabe Graham (Lisa) and Brian Graham; sister, Pam Cooke (Danny); father, Benjamin Graham (Sue) and mother, Betty Crow. Brother-in-law, Sam Underwood (Ellen) and sister-in-law, Janet Underwood. His nieces, Erin Underwood, Emily Wolfe (Brendon), and Nicole Cooke. His three grandchildren and the lights of his life were Brian Leon Graham, Jr., Stephannee Lea Graham and Michael Leon Graham.

Rick will be forever young and will remain in our hearts forever.

“Rick, have I told you I love you today? I love you today.”