Santos C. Diaz

Santos C. (Sam) Diaz passed from this life on December 19, 2020 at the age of 96. He was born in Falls City, Texas on July 17, 1924 to Jesus B. Diaz and Leonor Castro.
Santos is survived by his sons, Arturo Diaz (Mary Ellen), David Diaz (Patricia), and daughter Geraldine (Stanley). sister Leonarda Diaz, 6 grandchildren, great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Santos is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jesus and Leonarda Diaz, Luis and Felicitas Castro, his parents, Jesus B. and Leonor Castro Diaz, brothers, Alfonso Diaz, Victoriano Diaz and sisters, Francisca Diaz, Mary D. Rocha and Florence Almendarez.
Sam came from humble beginnings as his family was poor and struggled at times to put food on the table during the Depression. He did not enter school as a boy, instead, he worked as a migrant worker throughout Texas. Then at the age of 17 he entered the service where he trained for combat infantry. He was a WWII veteran and was in the Siegfried Line Campaign at Saarbrucken, Germany. He was immensely proud of his service under General Patton. After his military service he visited California with a friend and he stayed on to attend Los Angeles Trade Technical College where he studied Lithography. During this period in his life, he married Elsa Noemi Hernandez. He developed a talent as a Lithographer that would lead him to employment with Tayco Business Forms in Thousand Oaks, CA and moved his family from Norwalk, CA to Thousand Oaks. He was always open to new business ventures and owned a Enco gas station in Thousand Oaks, he was a part-time mechanic, owned a landscaping service, small engine repair shop, as well as farming and a successful concrete business when he moved to Natalia, Texas. He was an avid sports fan, particularly baseball, and coached Little League in which his boys were team members. He played a key role in bringing Little League to Thousand Oaks. He also had a love for music and danced with his numerous friends every weekend by attending his favorite salsa dance venues.
Sam will always be remembered for his love for life and as many people know, “Wherever he met a stranger, there he left a friend.” He had an infectious positivity and an incredible work ethic that contributed to his success. Our Salsero is dancing in Heaven now and his joyful spirit will always remain in our hearts. We thank all family, friends and various staff members that made a difference in his life. It goes without saying, that Sam Diaz left an indelible mark of positive impressions on all who have had the pleasure of meeting him. He will be greatly missed by all.
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories.” -Unknown
“Catch you later,” Rest in Peace Dad.