Hiram Diaz

A heart of gold; a man who inspired others.

Hiram Diaz, a native and lifelong resident of San Bernardino, CA passed away on August 20, 2010 in Reno, Nevada, while attending a Kiwanis Conference.

Hiram attended local schools, graduated from SBHS and San Bernardino Valley College. He served proudly in the United States Marine Corps on active duty during the Korean War and in the reserves, for a total of 20 years. He retired from the Marine Corps Reserves in 1970 as a Gunnery Sergeant.

He worked for the San Bernardino City Unified School District for 19 years and retired as a Scheduler in 1995.

Throughout Hiram’s life, he was always serving others, whether it was taking care of his mother, preparing his famous menudo for family to enjoy on Sunday mornings, doting on his daughter, Roxie, or donating blood at the Blood Bank. He served on the City Parks and Recreation Commission and was instrumental in moving forward projects that enhanced the quality of life for our residents and especially our youth. Hiram was the driving force in the creation of Guadalupe Ball field on 8th Street and provided not only the leadership needed to advance that project, but poured his physical labor to make the ball field a reality.

Hiram was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater San Bernardino and had a perfect attendance record for 39 years. He earned numerous awards from Kiwanis and served as treasurer and on the Board of Directors. He was one of the founding members of the San Bernardino Chapter of the American G.I. Forum and served as the National Sergeant of Arms for the G.I. Forum. Hiram advocated educational and sports opportunities for youth, whether it was through his active involvement with the Kiwanis Club or in his role as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner.

Hiram earned the distinction of being a major blood donor at the San Bernardino Blood Bank (now known as Life Stream) having donated 18 gallons of blood during his lifetime, an achievement that very few people reach. Through his blood donations he saved the lives of many patients

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Roxanne “Roxie” and Tom Deen of Redlands; two sisters, Sarah (Frank) Chavez of Fontana, and Luz Mersical of Los Angeles; two brothers, John (Dana) Diaz of Ocala, FL; and Michael (Desiree) of San Bernardino; his uncle and aunt, Lalo and Angie Mendoza of San Bernardino, stepchildren, Francine (Ruben) Luengas, San Bernardino; David (Kris) Montiel, San Bernardino, James (Chris) Montiel, San Bernardino; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilberto and Juana Diaz; brothers, Gilbert, Jr., Jorge, Felix, and Jimmy; sisters, Teresa Gonzales, and Fabia (Genevieve) Parra; his first wife, Sallie, and second wife, Esther, and his son, Ronnie Madrigal.

His death is a great loss to his beloved daughter and family, his Kiwanis family, his golfing buddies and all who knew this humble and benevolent man who had a heart of gold.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mt. View Chapel, 570 Highland Avenue, San Bernardino. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, September 2, at 10 a.m., also at Mt. View Chapel, followed by burial at 1 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

.