Rev. Frank Diaz Sr.

Frank Diaz, Sr., 90, went peacefully to his heavenly home with his children and grandchildren by his side. He was born to Enoch and Jesuscita Diaz in Dallas, Texas. He was born into El Divino Salvador Presbyterian Church, and became an active member as a young man. He graduated from Crozier Tech High School in 1952. He married his high school sweetheart Shirley, and joined the Army and served during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in December, 1955. After the Army, he was an electrical engineer for Texas Instruments for 16 years. He then became a Broker and Realtor and opened his own real estate office called Northwest Realty. While having these careers, he always felt a calling into ministry, but dismissed the feelings. He could no longer ignore the calling and entered Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary at the age of 48. He graduated from Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 1982. He pastored 5 churches. Memorial Presbyterian Church in San Marcos, Tx., First Presbyterian Church in New Braunfels Tx., El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church in Austin Tx., First Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Tx., and his home church, El Divino Salvador Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Tx. He held a few positions at the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) Headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky and retired as the Executive Director of General Assembly Council. He was Co-Founder of Mi Escuelita in Dallas, Tx. and Co-Founder of Manos De Cristo in Austin, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Rachel Montero, his brother Enoch Diaz, Jr. and the love of his life, his wife of 57 years, Shirley Vela Diaz. He is survived by his children Frank Diaz, Jr (Norma Atkinson), David Diaz, Larry Diaz, James Diaz (Cody Kendrick), daughters Patricia Diaz, Elizabeth Lara (Frank Lara); grandchildren Shawn and Jana Diaz, Sara and Manuel Soto, Lindsay and Brandon Kuhlengel, Emily and Chris Alvey, Joshua and Kiah Diaz, Jacob Diaz, Faith and Michael Upchurch, Lauren Lara, Leah Lara; great- grandchildren Isaac and Fani Soto, Reilly Diaz, Damien Alvey, Carson Staver, Ivan Soto, Nathan Kuhlengel, Lily Alvey, Righleigh Diaz, Nolan Diaz, Lyric Upchurch, Liam Upchurch, Dezerae and Trenton Deis, Danyelle and Benjamin Dolan; great-great grandchildren Silver Soto, Everley Dolan, Elliette Dolan, Emilia Dolan. As well as his best furry friend Buddy. Visitation at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Sunday, 01/21/2024 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Monday, 01/22/2024 at 10:00, followed by entombment. Officiating the service will be Rev. Richard W. Selby.