Jesse Martin Diaz

Jesse was the first member of his extended family to attend college, and he was very proud of his degree in civil engineering from U.C. Davis. He worked for the State of California for more than 40 years, during which he rose to the position of Director of California Water Quality. After retiring, Jesse did a considerable amount of volunteer work for the Veteran's History Project, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Hospice and United Farm Workers. Jesse enjoyed fishing, working with his hands and traveling. He was also a faithful, lifelong Catholic and he gave much of his time to his church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Folsom, which he loved very much.

Jesse is reunited in peace with his parents, Joseph Diaz, Sr. and Maria Louisa Kincaid; his brother, Joseph Diaz, Jr.; sisters, Angelina Milner, Gloria Mather, Patricia Olmos; ex-wife, Virginia C. Diaz; and his beloved dog, Maggie.

He is survived by his sister, Diane Garcia; daughters, Stephanie Diaz and Pamela Diaz; and grandson, Enrico Colley.

Services will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Folsom (307 Montrose Dr, Folsom, CA 95630) on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00am PT.