Ramon Diaz was born on January 1, 1961, in Tangancícuaro, Michoacán, Mexico to Ana and Pedro Diaz. Ramon was a loving husband of 40 years, an amazing father of 3 children, and one of 7 siblings. Ramon came to the United States with his family in 1969 where they settled into their loving home in Fillmore. The importance of family and staying together was a value growing up, as his mother Ana would often say “a todos juntos o ninguno.”
Ramon valued three things most: soccer, teaching and family. During his senior year, Ramon helped form the first ever varsity soccer team at Fillmore High School in 1979. As team captain, he was instrumental in leading the team to the CIF Competition and winning that year, a historical accomplishment for Fillmore High School. After his graduation, Ramon found his calling for education where he worked for the Migrant Education Program and touched many students’ lives in the classroom as well as on the soccer field. He became a role model for many Latinx students and children of migrant workers as Ramon experienced and understood the disparities migrant students faced in the educational system.
Ramon pursued his career in teaching, and he served as an amazing math teacher for 35 years at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills until his retirement in 2019. He was known for being a funny and patient teacher, often inserting humor into his lessons to alleviate the stress of mathematics on his students. He valued making math a subject all could learn with the help of a few jokes, creating a classroom environment that was truly memorable. He enjoyed teaching and genuinely cared for each one of his students throughout the years.
Ramon was often referred to as Superman by his family because of his ability to make time for all the people he loved in his life. Despite working long days, he would balance tutoring students in the community, often working late nights grading papers, helping his children with their homework, and packing their school lunches every morning. Even so, Ramon made time for fun weekends with his family in Santa Barbara, riding bikes and going to the pool for a swim. His family is especially fond of memories at Six Flags, Disneyland, Yosemite, and Hearst Castle, where Ramon was always with a video camera in his hand to capture life’s precious moments. He never let life get too busy to be with his family.
Ramon enjoyed the simple things in life. He enjoyed celebrating his children’s accomplishments, being spoiled on his birthday and Father’s Day, playing tennis with his son and brother, and kicking the soccer ball at Shiell’s Park during his daily walks. He had a love for movies and often quoted his favorite lines from many films. He was a generous, kind, funny, silly and loving man. But more than that, he was one of a kind.
More than anything, Ramon adored his wife, soulmate, and best friend Evangelina Diaz. Prior to his passing, Ramon had just celebrated 40 years of marriage with his wife. Ramon always referred to the first time he fell in love with Eva as the same day he met her in Spanish class. “I wanted to be with her the moment I saw her.” Ramon carried a picture of her in his wallet for all those years. An avid Beatles fan, Ramon would often dedicate the song “Woman” to his beloved. Even in his last days, he would refer to Eva as his “eighth grade sweetheart.”
Ramon passed away on July 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his siblings Luz & Javier Alcaraz, Luis & Jenny Diaz, Ramiro & Trini Diaz, Rafael & Lupe Diaz, Ana & Agustin Campos, and Peter & Sami Diaz-Tarrab.
Ramon will be a guardian angel to his three beloved children, Natalie, Andres and Gabriela, and to his soulmate and wife, Eva. He will be cherished as the #1 husband and dad anyone could ever ask for. He will be forever missed.
Viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 23rd, at Perez Family Funeral Home in Fillmore, from 3-7pm, followed by the rosary at 7:45pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Mass will be on Wednesday, July 24th, 10am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, burial to follow immediately at Bardsdale Cemetery.