Albert "Betito" James Age - 36 - La Diaz, Jr.

ALBERT “BETITO” JAMES DIAZ, JR., 36, a resident of La Puebla, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 22, 2012. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Diaz, Sr.; grandparents, Phil Diaz, Sr. and Mary Diaz, and Casimiro and Ramoncita Montoya; uncles, Steve and Casey Montoya, Sr, Tio Pete Montoya.; cousins, Patricia Lucero, Casey Montoya, Jr., Arlo Martinez, Jr. and Jeremy Montoya. Albert was a Radiographer for 13 years, with an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Radiological Science. Betito was a very friendly person who was always willing to help any way he could, he was very caring and did not like to see people hurt. Albert had a very outgoing nature and could put a smile on your face with just a few words; together, with his unique sense of humor, laughs were never in short supply. A jack of all trades, he loved tackling the next project with a sense of “doing the job right” with a “no shortcuts” attitude. His family and friends were very important to him and he loved us all, giving you the shirt off his back. He was a huge sports enthusiast who loved football and basketball. During sports seasons you could find him watching the games, especially his favorite team, Kansas City Chiefs, along with cooking his famous chili, and if you wanted to know about sports all you had to do was call him. He was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, camping and was an expert angler, anywhere he fished he caught. He was also very knowledgeable in many areas and always had good advice for a friend. To his close family we knew him as “Betito”. Mr. Diaz is survived by his fiancée, Annabelle Martinez; step-daughter, Amanda Martinez; son, Albert James III; mother, Bernadette Diaz and Mike Shebala; brother, Charles Diaz and wife Adelina; sister, Monica Diaz; niece, Bernadette Torres; nephews, Shaun Martinez, Charles Diaz, Jr. and Carlos Casias; close family friend, Robert Martinez; uncles, Frank (Eva) Montoya, Thomas (Yolanda) Montoya, Matias (Evelyn) Montoya and Phil (Marian) Diaz, Jr.; aunts, Rita Maestas, Ramona (Ted) Pena, Jenny (Ron) Shafer, Rosemary (Richard) Maes and Bernie Montoya; in-laws, Raymond and Concha Martinez; brothers-in-law, Ray (Barbara) Martinez, Ron (Shay) Martinez and Elmer Martinez; sisters-in-law, Connie (Jody) Garduño and Cindy Martinez and numerous cousins and other relatives and many close friends. Serving as pallbearers, Robert Lucero, Jr., Danny Serrano, Sr., Sammy Naranjo, Jr., Charles Diaz, Carlo Lopez, Jim Chavez, Ricardo Chavez and Dominic Tafoya. Honorary pallbearers named are, Tracy Serrano, Theodore Lopez, Larry and Johnny Peña, Adelina Diaz, Bernadette Torres, Robert Martinez, Paul Sandoval, Frankie Martinez and Leon Garcia. Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at la Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada with burial to follow at La Puebla Catholic Cemetery. The family of Albert “Betito” James Diaz, Jr. has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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