Sorry for your loss....met your dad when I lived in needles from 1971 to 1973

Dad,
As I walked outside tonight

I saw a big bright moon illuminating the night sky  

It was filled with love and almost as bright as your smile  

It didn't holler or boast

It just quietly lit my path in much the same way you did  

As I prepare for our final goodbye

Please know that I will continue down the path illuminate by your beautiful smile and the love you instilled in my heart

May you rest in peace

Grandpa, 
  I'm so blessed to have known you. You truly are the most amazing person I've ever known. You have always been kind, loving, and hard working. I am so sad you didn't get to meet my new son but I know you are around. I'm very proud to say you are my grandfather. I love you...Maruca

Ralph was a wonderful person and had a heart of gold.  He was always smiling and had something good or positive to say about any situation.  You knew when you were around him that he loved God, Armida and his children.  He was a friend to everyone he met.  I never saw him frown or angry. I will miss Ralph and his kind words.  Ralph and Armida continued to be my friends even though I moved from Needles.  They are friends who are a treasure to me and others.

The Tribute to Ralph Diaz
My Best Friend

was written by Ed Gonzalez

Tribute to Ralph Diaz
My Best Friend


The ritual continues each morn around ten

But somehow its empty without Ralph my very best friend

The laughter and joking was surely a treat, made the coffee ever taste sweet

The memory repeated ever each day much cherished and heart-locked and there it will stay

Came a weeks camping and fishing each summer in June

Round campfire burning bring on singing Mex-tunes

Libations of plenty soon put us to bed
woke up at midnight, "oh" what a sore head

Mornings were pleasant with black coffee at six

Breakfast at seven surely a big mix

eggs with chorizo, tortillas, potatoes and greasy fried beans

All day and no hunger with such a huge fix

The fishing came eventful in White Mountain streams

But lures and our hooks only caught branches and trees

New fish a planted each Thursday by truck

The catching of trout with much better luck!

Evening supper came later cooked plenty to eat 

The catch of the day and char-broiled  meat

With veggies and salads then topped with baked sweets


This but a glimpse of yet stories not told of Failo's youth in Superior at 16 years old

He played spin the bottle with sisters of mine

He's joy and good humor distinguished that early a time

His milking of cows each morning at three, his moving to Florence for just a short spree

Returned to his home to work at the smelter
Then to Needles he moved seeking work and new shelter

He brought here his young wife and three children he has, and soon found employment with Southwestern Gas

And here ends the verse with much more to tell

My condolences to the family hoping them well

Remembering my friend makes me gloomy and low

Cause heart full I'll miss my best friend Failo!

Songs Dedicated to my Husband, Father, Grandfather

1. The Dance by Garth Brooks (Maria Armida)
2. Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole (Dante)
3. Heaven Was Needing a Hero by Jo Dee Messina (David)
4. You're My Hero by Teresa James (Adriana)
5. There You'll Be by Faith Hill (Blanka's Wedding Father/Daughter Dance)
6.Tears in Heaven by Eric Clampton (Rudy)
7. In my Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride (Dedicated to Adriana by Dante in Dad's name)
8. I Loved Her First by Heartland (Adriana's wedding father/daughter dance)
9. You are my Sunshine by Elizabeth Mitchell (Taylor)
10. I Drive Your Truck by Lee Brice (Andre)
11. If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away by Justin Moore (Ari and Jenny)
12. Blessing by Laura Story (Erika)
13. Father's Love by Gary Valenciano
14. Through the Eyes of My Father by Brianna Hayes
15. Oh My Darling Clementine (All the grandchildren)

Dear Lord,
Thank you for bringing Ralph into my life, even though it was for a short time. You showed me what a true man can be.
I am proud of my two new brothers, Dante and David, and look forward to a new life with the Diaz family. Thank you Dante and David for treating me as a brother, you don't know what this means to me.
Armida "mom", Thank you for the love and kindness that you have given me. I promise to always be there for you, whenever you need me. You will always be in my heart. Thank you for always treating me as one of your "mijos", I love you very much mom.
I would like to read this story that I came upon and thought of Ralph...One night a father overheard his son pray, "Dear God, make me the kind of man my daddy is". Later that night the father prayed, "Dear God, make me the kind of man my son wants me to be". This is truly a father's love, that is my friend Ralph. I pray to God that he gives me the strength to love and cherish my son, as Ralph loved and cherished his children.
One day I hope to see Ralph again, walking in God's paradise with a fishing pole in his hands, saying, "Hey Gallo! Grab a pole the fishing is good!"
Ralph, thank you for treating me like a son because I truly loved you like a father. We laughed, we told jokes, we would even have a few beers together if the baseball game was on.
At our wedding you showed me how strong a father's love can be when you danced with your beautiful daughter. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. You danced to, I Loved Her First, the perfect song for you both.
Ralph, even though you didn't give me life, you gave me the second best thing... You gave me the love of my life, Adriana.
God Bless you

When I first met Ralph it didn't take long to figure out what a great guy he was. He was thoughtful, caring, and above all, patient. He knew how to fix or do just about anything. I never saw him lose his temper and he was always there with a big smile for everyone. I don't think I'd be alone in saying, he's what every man wants to be. It is an honor to be part of his family. We're gonna miss him! Love You Gramps!

Mi Querido Viejo

Era un gran hombre mi Viejo
Que a todos nos divertia
Nos dejo muchos ejemplos
Por su gran sabiduria

Viejo mi querido viejo
Ahora ya estas en el cielo
Porque Dios asi lo quiso

Fuiste un marido ejemplar
Y un gran padre ni se diga
Los chiquillos te adoraban
Y los grandes te admiraban

Viejo mi querido viejo

Siempre fuiste bendecido
Con una familia hermosa
Y ahora aqui todos reunidos
Para darte un hasta luego

Viejo mi querido viejo

Grandpa, 
You showed us your love in all the little things that you did. I will cherish all the time we spend together. I will miss you everyday until we meet again. "You are my sunshine, Tata!" I love you.

Uncle Failo, you have always have been so special to me, Audrey, Tony,and Manuel.You are now in heaven with Manuel,my mom and dad,aunt Josie,uncles Val and Mino and your parents. Tell Manuel I miss him so much, as I will you.There always has been a special place in my heart for you and Armida.I will always cherish those memories of you with lots of love.You were a man everyone loved and admired.We know God welcome you with open arms.Will always love and miss you, Olivia ps, your favorite niece.

Uncle Failo
I am so glad I was able to spend sometime with you before your surgery, your smile,your humor never left you. I heard you sing a song, that my mom(your sister Josie) would also sing before she passed away. We taped her singing the song.She said that you both use to sing this song together when you were both young. The song was Cuartro Milpas, its about ranches that are no longer there. It so touched me when I heard you sing it also.
I will treasure all the memories I have of you. You were a blessing to the Diaz Family, This family will not be the same now that you are not with us. Your Mom and Dad must be rejoicing as well as your brothers Raul,Val, Mino and your sister,my precious mom to have you in heaven with them..

Rest in Peace my beloved Uncle
Your niece

Uncle Failo, you were with out a doubt my very favorite. You were so  special to Raymond and I , we will miss you very much. I have so many special memories of you which I will keep close to my heart and always think of you with Love. To live in the hearts  you leave behind is never to die.

Uncle Failo,
I still can't believe you are gone.  You will be missed so much by everyone whose life you touched.  Your smile and sense of humor was so contagious.  Your artistic talents are still treasured in the painting you gave me for my wedding so many years ago.  I'm sure you will brighten Heaven just as you did here on Earth.  
Love You, Gloria Kanis

It was a great honor carrying my grandpa to his final resting place I will miss him so much and the holidays won't be the same without his cheerful smile. I love you grandpa

Grandpa, 
Thank you for all that you did for everyone. You are by far the most kind person that I have ever met. You always cared about everyone else and put your family first. You always were there for all of us girls. Thanks for being a wonderful grandpa! I will miss you so much, but I know you are in a better place. Love you, forever Jennifer aka Juanita (as you called me) xoxo

You were a man with so many amazing titles, Tio, Dad, Granpa, Friend, Helper, Leader, Instructor, etc., and you were so compassionate at each of these. I am going to miss you so much but I know you are at peace and not suffering. Say hi to my dad. I love you, Tio Failo.    Angelica, Beto and Eric. Michael, Zenia, Little Michael and Noah. Kayla, Daniel and Jaylah (Bisbee, Arizona)

"Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:14

God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be,
So he put his arms around you,
And whispered "Come to me."
With tearful eyes we watched you,
And saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us 
He only takes the best.  
-unknown

You left me with so many wonderful memories that I will cherish forever. I miss you so much Grandpa and I can't wait for the day to come when we will be reunited.

You set the bar high on what I want the men in my life to be and who I hope my boys will become.  I luv u with all I have and I'll always be your pulga 
Pedora! (Hope I spelled that right)

My dear Nino Failo, it is so hard to believe you are gone.  While we know you are in peace with Jesus, we all miss you.  You were a wonderful uncle, "Abraham Lincoln."  Thank you for all of the memories and for always making me smile!  I know you must be happy to see your mom, dad, brothers and sister.  Say hello to my Uncle Raul (tell him I miss his oranges but not his cigars), Uncle Val (tell him he still owes me a dollar), my Uncle Mino (tell him I'm Carmen's daughter) and my Tia Josie (tell her I miss her so much I named my daughter after her).  We will miss you dearly, Uncle Failo.  All our love.

First I would like to thank all our family and friends for offering their love to my mother.
My father was my hero....
I thank the lord for loving my father so much that he let him go so peacefully and with dignity. My heart is shattered but I know that my dad will be waiting for us in heaven. He will be holding his hand out saying, "C'mon mija". 
I love you daddy..... Adriana Clarissa

Compadre Failo, you were a very SPECIAL friend of ours for years and years.  May you rest in Peace and know that you are in our prayers, as always, with much affection..........Bob, Annie & Juanita

Dear Failo,
You are in the arms of Jesus. I will miss your smile that was so contagious. Every time I hear (I'll be darn) I will remember you Failito. I love you and miss you. 
Lola

Dearest Family of Ralph Diaz,
I join with so many others who knew Ralph in offering my deepest sympathy on his passing.
The measure of a life well-lived is not in how much money one has or what possessions they have accumulated, but rather through the lives they touched and the sorrow they leave behind. If the outpouring of sympathy on his loss is any indication, and it most certainly is, you can proudly and confidently say that his indeed was a life well-lived.
May you find peace and comfort in knowing that his loss is felt by all who knew and loved him.
In Sympathy,
Michelle

I love you Grandpa! I know you are walking with Jesus and I will see you again one day. We miss you so much.

OBITUARY

Ralph Failo T. Diaz

May 11, 1927 – March 20, 2013

Dimond & Sons Needles Mortuary

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Past Services

Visitation with Vigil and Rosary

Mass

Internment