John Vargas Diaz

John Vargas Diaz was born to Manuel and Magdalena (Vargas) Diaz, on June 26, 1923 in the small town of Niotaze, Kansas. His dad was a foreman for the railroad laying track. They lived in a railcar, and moved from place to place as the railroad dictated. After his dad was laid off from the railroad, he planted the family in Pocatello, Idaho, where John grew up with his older brother Jesse, younger brothers Joe and Alex, and sisters Dolores (Lori) and Flora.



His dad soon obtained employment working for various farms as a foreman. John attended school in Idaho until the 8th grade and then worked for his dad at the various farms. His love of guns and hunting began at an early age. He would hunt with his brother Jess for rabbits and other small game to provide meat for the dinner table.



At the beginning of World War II, John enlisted into the Army along with his brothers Jesse, Joe and sister Dolores (His younger brother Alex, was too young to enlist at this time - he waited until the age of 15, in time for the Korean War.)



John served 3 enlistments. During basic training, he earned his GED and then he was deployed to North Africa where he fought, and began the march to Europe.

He fought in Europe until D-Day where he joined American forces for the push to Germany. He earned numerous medals, including: Purple Heart for being wounded in combat, the Victory Medal for WWII, and the occupation medal earned after the war. While he was in Europe, he received a telex requesting that he be the bodyguard to Eleanor Roosevelt who was Secretary of the United Nations, during her visit to London.



When he completed his 3rd enlistment, his mother requested that he come home and not re-enlist again. He returned to Idaho, and began working s a fireman on the railroad. He did that for a number of years until he was laid off.



In early 1953 he went to California, driving his black Chrysler convertible, to visit his mother, father, sister Flora and Rod; who were now in California with his sister Dolores and her family.



Flora was playing match-maker. She was telling Frances (she lived 3 houses over) that she wanted her to meet her, tall and handsome brother John. (Flora was less than 5 feet tall),

When John was waxing his black convertible, Frances would be seen cutting her brothers lawn. Eventually they dated, married and had 4 daughters; Naomi, Ren, Dana and Samantha.



John applied for a job at North American Rockwell. When he applied he showed them his discharge papers, and after they ran his military serial number, found that his security clearance to be very high. They hired him on the spot! They said, with his security clearance, he could work on top secret projects. He received his training as a sheet metal mechanic from North American Rockwell. When he was laid off, he then went to work for Howard Hughes Aviation. Again, with his high security clearance, he was hired and worked there for many years. His last employment in aviation was with Northrup. When he was laid off there, he found work with Russ Bassett Office Furniture as a sheet metal mechanic, where he worked until his retirement in 1988.



John is survived by his wife Frances of 61 years; daughters Naomi Banuelos (Willy), Ren Martins (Kent), Dana Navarro (Raul) and Samantha Diaz-Hill (Al); grandchildren, Matthew Banuelos, Melanie Banuelos, Michelle Garcia (Gus), Christopher Navarro (Marcia), Jennifer Navarro, Alisandra Navarro, Nicholas Molina, Amanda Molina and Gannon Hill; and 1 great grandson, Christopher John Navarro. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews in California, Idaho and Washington. He is the last of the off-spring of Manuel and Magdalena Diaz to pass away.



He was very proud of his service and love of this country, and that is the legacy he leaves behind.



Viewing / Vigil, Monday, April 13, 2015 4-8pm White Emerson Mortuary Chapel

Rosary, Monday, April 13, 2015 7pm White Emerson Mortuary Chapel

Prayer Service, Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 9:30am White Emerson Mortuary Chapel

Interment: Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 12:30pm Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA.