Raymond Garnica Diaz, 67 of Greenfield, CA passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020 at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.  He was born June 23, 1952 in King City, CA to Rosa Garnica and Ignacio Diaz.  Raymond was raised by Casimiro Sabado, whom was a father figure to him and he called Dad. He has one sister, Irene Garcia and one brother, Casimiro "Tito" (Alicia) Sabado all of Greenfield, CA.

Raymond married the love of his life, Beatriz Valenzuela on May 8 ^th , 1976.  They couple just celebrated their 44 ^th anniversary 2 days prior to him passing. Mr. Diaz has 3 surviving daughters, Leticia (Gabriel) Campos, Angelica Diaz, Tanya Diaz and 1 surviving son, Juan Antonio (Andrea) Diaz. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, Daniel, Matthew (Kisaundra) Diaz, Andrea, Jessica, Mataya, Ariyana, Corina, Nathaniel, Michelle, Gilberto Jr., Milo, Zyanya, Cali, Zylah, Juan Antonio Jr., all of Greenfield, Jaedah and J'Naya reside in Alabama. He is also survived by 3 great grandchildren; his great granddaughter, Ariea Rrenae Diaz Cruz of Greenfield, and his 2 great grandsons, Azuriah King Diaz of Merced, CA, and Malikai Angel Caballero-Diaz of Greenfield. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Diaz was desperately looking forward to being able to meet and hold the newest addition to the family, Santana Ray who was scheduled to arrive May 19, 2020. Unfortunately Raymond received his angel wings 9 days before Santana Ray's arrival.

Even though Raymond had that intimidating look to him, he was a very loving and caring man with a heart of gold who was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand. Raymond took in many runaway teens, relatives and non-relatives, including some adults. He was always doing good deeds. He always said, some day we might be there and our children or family will need a helping hand.

Mr. Diaz graduated King City High School 1970. He attended Hartnell College and received his AA Degree. He's received many different awards and certificates as he was very involved with the community and the schools. Some of the many awards and certificates he received were for Leadership, Appreciation, and Recognition as PTO President at Vista Verde Middle School in 1994. He was instrumental in leading the organization to a successful year including a profitable school wide and community fundraiser. He served on the Hartnell Board of Trustees 1990 -1991. He had given service to Hartnell Community College District from Dec. 1, 1979 to Dec. 3, 1993.

He received a Courage Award from LULAC Salinas Council #2055 in 1991. Most Sharing Award from the Greenfield Union School District Aug. 3, 2001. He was elected to office Nov. 2 ^nd , 1999 Greenfield Union School District School Board and was very active in the school districts of Greenfield and Greenfield High School. He was a member of the Sober Grad Night Committee. He ran for Mayor but was defeated by a few votes.

Mr. Diaz was an avid reader before he got cataracts in both eyes. He just loved to read and boy did he have books. He had books on just about everything from Religion to Chicanoism to Documentaries to Civil War. His book collection was that of a library but it kept him busy. He had a thing for politics. He was a very political man and he kept up with all the political news. He was a campaign manager, many times helped in many, many campaigns from Assembly Members to City Council Members to School Board Members, to Presidents. He was involved with Bond sand Measures. He was always on top of the elections. He always made sure the family knew what was going on with the elections, especially when I came to our city. He had joined the UFW Leader, Cesar E. Chavez in the 70's.

He was a member of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association and retired after 11years and 4 months. He attended the Greenfield community Police Academy where he completed the course and received a certificate.

Mr. Diaz worked as a laborer at Las Colinas Vineyard, Inter Harvest Co., Nob Hill Foods, California Department of Corrections (CDC) at CTF California Training Facility where he was a Correctional Officer almost 12 years before he medically retired. He was a Security Guard at Tanimura & Antle and ABM Security Services.

Raymond had a long battle of suffering with illnesses but regardless of how he felt he was always feeling good, so he said. Even on his worst days he'd say he was good so he wouldn't worry us. He was a stubborn man, but was very intelligent. Despite his illnesses and various medical conditions he did so much for our city, county, state and country.

Raymond was a great husband and father. He loved his children and always worked hard to provide for his family. He had a joy for his grandchildren and would always take naps with them when they were babies. He used to say, "It's true what they say, you love your grandkids and great grandkids more than your own kids."

He was loved by not only his family, but by many. He had grandkids and other kids he never knew of, teens and kids who would adopt him as their Grandpa or Poppa. He will be missed by not only his family, but also by his close friends, by the community and by everyone he lent a helping hand to or did a good deed for. He was well known and very much respected.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Rosa Sabado in 2006; father, Casimiro Sabado 2003; his granddaughter, Mataya Sims 2004; and his nephew, Nicholas Mc Granahan 2005.

Raymond was a huge San Francisco Giants and Forty-Niner fan.

A Visitation was held from on Friday, May 15, 2020 at Eddington Funeral Services Chapel.  Raymond was laid to rest in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Greenfield, California.

For additional information, please contact Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .