Richard Lester Diaz Sr. 1927 – 2025
Richard’s obituary: https://www.bailey-howardfuneralhome.com/obituary/richard-diaz-sr
Richard married Juanita Gama “Jennie” and they had two children Christine Diaz (Smith) and Richard Diaz Jr. He later married Susan McKnight and they had a son Mark Diaz. We have had many great debates about how many times Chic was married. There are at least four marriages. Has anyone heard of any others?
- Juanita Gama
- Juanita Gama 2 “The Sequel”
- Susan McKnight
- Marsha Freeman
- Verna ____?
- Marge ____?
We have tried to get the real story about how he got the nick-name “Chic” but the story just doesn’t add up. He said it was a nick-name he was given by the opposing team when they had a neighborhood basketball game. However, there are other family photos that show he was much younger and called Chic…so we may never know.
We had a Richard Diaz Family reunion planned in Pueblo, Colorado in 2007. We thought it would be great to have t-shirts with Richard Diaz’ face on them. Surprisingly, Dad agreed to pose for three photos showing his classic face with a sorta-smile that Chris Smith calls a “smull.” Curt Smith did the design and produced the t-shirts…we all loved the results.
We were blessed to be able to take a group photo with everybody wearing their “It’s a Diaz Thing” t-shirts. I will look for a copy of the group photo to post here.
Dad has had more jobs than anyone I have ever known. Here is a short list of just a few.
- Colorado Fuel & Iron worker (probably underage)
- US Army Soldier/ Paratrooper/ Medic
- US Navy Seaman, US Naval Reserve
- Pueblo Fire Department Paramedic
- Salesman – Goodyear Tire and Rubber
- Salesman – Sears & Roebuck
- Salesman, Montgomery Ward, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Salesman – Pace Products
- Salesman – Jacuzzi Portable Spas
- Salesman – Colorado Springs Wholesale Florist
- Chef – Smuggler’s Inn Restaurant
- Cook – Olvera’s Mexican Food, Central City Colorado
- Cook – Johnson’s Smorgasbord, Central City
- Cook – Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colorado Springs
- Cook – Kentucky Fried Chicken, Compton California
- Cook – Winter Park Ski Resort, Colorado
- Cook – Dude Ranch, Nederland Colorado
- Cook – Dude Ranch, Lake City, Colorado
- Cook – Escondidos, Grand Junction, Colorado
- Owner/ operator, Gringo’s Mexican Grill, Grand Junction, Colorado
- Owner/ operator, Gringo’s Mexican Grill, Beulah Colorado
- Cook – Four Seasons Hotel and Resort, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Cook – Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Cook – Starship Cruise Lines, Biloxi Mississippi
- CDL Driver – Schneider National
- Cook – South Padre Island Convention Center, Texas
- Rick’s Blue Moon Bar, owner/ operator, Abilene, Texas
- Funeral home body delivery driver, Abilene, Texas
- State of Texas Health and Human Services, Administrative Assistant, Abilene, Texas
This is the lighted sign I made for the bar.
Chic in his nursing home room 2025.
Chic a.k.a. “Grumpy Pants” in the nursing home dining room.
Chic and grandson Bradley “Marcus” Diaz, leaving the nursing home for ice cream!
Chic enjoying strawberry cheesecake ice cream.
My “little” brother Mark Diaz and I attending the memorial service for Aunt Irene.
l-r: Irene Carillo, _______?, Fred Carillo, Chic Diaz, Barbara Chartier.
Chic and Verna somewhere in Colorado.
The Chevy Chevelle that Mark Diaz built for Chic.
______? and Chic, February 27, 1998 at Elaine’s house?
Chic and Sophie in Phoenix, Arizona.
Chic and Richard Jr. In Feltwell, England, Sussex, UK.
Marissa Diaz, Chic and Richard Jr, at the train station in England.
Marissa Diaz and Chic at Mark’s house on Goldenrod in Colorado Springs, CO.
l-r: ________?, Fred Carillo, Chic, Barbara Chartier, Bingy.
l-r: Elaine Luna Cruz, Christine Smith, and Chic.
Christine Smith and Chic.
Bingy and Chic.
Chic at Culinary school in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Chic’s family and spouses. l-r: Trent Diaz and girlfriend, Mark and Michelle Diaz, Chic, Mike and Christine Smith, Chad Smith, Bradley Diaz and Richard Diaz Jr.
Chic’s family and spouses. l-r: Trent Diaz and girlfriend, Mark and Michelle Diaz, Chic, Mike and Christine Smith, Chad Smith, Bradley Diaz and Richard Diaz Jr.
Chic’s family and spouses. l-r: Trent Diaz and girlfriend, Mark and Michelle Diaz, Chic, Mike and Christine Smith, Chad Smith, Bradley Diaz and Richard Diaz Jr.
Chic drinking a diet 7up? Wearing a classic duct tape bandage on his finger.
Chic dancing at a wedding.
Chic’s family and spouses. l-r: Trent Diaz and girlfriend, Mark and Michelle Diaz, Chic, Mike and Christine Smith, Chad Smith, Bradley Diaz and Richard Diaz Jr.
l-r: Bingy, Chic, Richard Jr. and Fred Carillo in Pueblo, Colorado. for the family reunion.