Arthur Diaz

Murray, UT-I have fought my last battle. Though a trained warrior I finally accepted my release on the beautiful morning of March 8, 2014. I have entered into the glorious spirit world where I am called to serve a new mission. I was greeted by my father, mother, Mary, and sister, Mary Anne Cantu, my father and mother-in-law (Bert and Rose Owen) and many other loved ones.
I was born on October 25, 1941, to Trinidad and Helen Diaz in San Antonio, Texas. I have three sisters-Elizabeth Espin, Belinda (Dan) Zangari, and Angie Diaz, three step siblings-JoAnn Mendoza, Paul Griego, and Robert Griego.
I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1950. From 1960 to 1963 I served three tours of duty in Vietnam to fund my mission. I was called to the West Spanish American Mission in 1964.
On August 18, 1967, I married the girl of my dreams, Judy Ann Owen Diaz in the Salt Lake Temple. We have eight children: Arthur (Elvia) Diaz, Diana Stewart, Ronald Diaz, Debra (Julio) Rojo, Rebecca Diaz (Tim Coolack), Linda (Grant) Kopf, Lisa (Ian) Fife, and Denise Lee. Our 24 grandchildren are: Mason, Jeff, Jessica, Noelle, Elora, Sarah, Ian, Hannah, and TJ Stewart; Arthur F., Vanessa, Alyssa, Marissa, and Aaron Diaz; Sorsha and Alexander Rojo; Sheldon, Evan, Brian, and Justin Kopf; Christian and Beau Woodland, Colin and Declan Fife.
I received my B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1971 and a Master’s degree in educational psychology in 1976. I worked as an engineer for the Air Force and retired in 2007. I was a sergeant in the 19th Special Forces.
I served as a Boy Scout leader, counselor in a branch presidency, Priest Quorum advisor, Sunday School and High Priest instructor.
My most sacred calling was as an ordinance worker at the Jordan River Temple for 14.5 years.
I wish to thank Steve and Lilly Prior and my family and friends for helping us build our cabin in Fruitland, Utah. I love tellling jokes. I love nature, hiking, fishing, hunting, running, camping, skydiving, bird watching, stargazing, and watching old movies.
I wish to thank my doctors: Swithin Chandler, Thomas Edwards, Steven Anderson, David Tien and the doctors and nurses at St Marks Hospital.
I look forward to a glorious reunion with my sweetheart and fulltime nurse, Judy. God be with you ’til we meet again.
Viewing is Thursday March 13th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Murray Memorial mortuary (5850 South 900 East, Murray UT). Funeral is Friday March 14th from 10:30am-12:00pm at the Murray 16th Ward (619 West 5750 South, Murray UT) with a viewing 1 hour prior. Interment is at 1:30pm at the Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery (17111 S. Camp Williams Rd, Bluffdale, UT)