John Vincent Diaz died peacefully on December 30, 2019 at the age of 81. John was the 7th child of Manuel and Guadalupe Diaz of Oklahoma City, OK. He attended Little Flower grade school, Mount St. Mary’s High School and graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in Journalism in 1961. He was in the US Army Ranger Operation Special Forces active and reserve from 1961 - 1989. John served in several capacities including as Battalion Commander and as Deputy Director of Special Operations Section, European Command (Germany) and Southern Command (Panama). He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. John’s work in the private sector included journalism, business, and health care. The majority of his career he dedicated to advancing the field of aging at the National Council on Aging, as US Administrator on Aging for multiple regions and as Acting Associate Commissioner for the US Office of American/Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs.
As a pioneer in the field of gerontology he was recognized for his capacity to lead innovative changes and for working collaboratively with government departments and organizations to implement the Older Americans Act, developing and strengthening many of the programs and services in use today.
John is remembered as a proud and loving father, grandfather and uncle who was an avid reader, passionate about education, classical music, sports, and his beloved Fighting Irish. He owned and operated the Diaz de Navarro Vineyard, was a member of various choirs, served on national boards and in various leadership capacities in the Catholic Church.
John is survived by his wife, Maria Reynolds-Diaz; sons, John A “Gunner” Diaz and Victor (Erin) Diaz; stepchildren, Aaron (Kari) Reynolds and Marisa (Robert) Norris; siblings, Manuel Diaz, Edward Diaz, Estella Heaton, Esther Hulse, and Mellie (John) Wolf. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews with whom he was very close.
John is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Helen McCarron and Carmen Munoz.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 6, 2020 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Frisco beginning at 10:30 AM with Father John Suenram and Father Artemio Patiño presiding. Military honors and a reception will immediately follow. A private burial will be held at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff of Faith Presbyterian Hospice for their attention and care.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the University of Notre Dame Scholarship Fund in memory of John V. Diaz (c.o.1961) at www.giving.nd.edu, call 574-631-5150 or mail to ND Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or to The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC ) Chapter 750, Inc at www.mylulac750.org, go to donations or mail to PO Box 55103, Little Rock, AR 72115.