Romulo L. “R.L.” Diaz, Sr.

Congressional Gold Medal recipient and beloved father, grandfather and great-grand father, Romulo L. (R.L.) Diaz, Sr., passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 8, 2023, at the Faith Presbyterian Hospice in Dallas, TX.  He was born December 30, 1919, in Venezuela and moved to Port Arthur, TX, in 1945 following his marriage to Irene Rivera Diaz, who predeceased him in 2000.  He is survived by his four children Romulo, Jr. (Dennis Bann), Anna (Dean Seideman), Jerry (Mary) and David; his six grandchildren Richard Cuccia (Amy), Jason Cuccia (Mary), Danielle Diaz, Casey Diaz (Paul Shipman), Kaitlin Diaz Hall (Troy), and Kristin Diaz; and his 15 great grandchildren Abby Cuccia, Libby Cuccia, Hank Cuccia, Ruby Cuccia, Hattie Cuccia, Michael Mendez, Everly Hall, Aspen Wilkinson, Reina Wilkinson, Bethany Diaz, Elias Junior Diaz, Caleb Diaz, Kaleb Moles, Harrison Shipman, and Sarina Shipman; and extended family in Texas, Virginia and Venezuela.

R.L. grew up in Venezuela and was recruited to serve as a U.S. Merchant Marine for the former Gulf Oil in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until his honorable discharge from the U.S. Coast Guard on August 15, 1945.  He received a Congressional Gold Medal for his service in 2022.  Following the war, he and his wife Irene moved briefly to Venezuela before relocating permanently to Jefferson County and moving to Nederland in 1957 to raise their family.  He retired as a TRC supervisor from Texaco in 1985 and then transported petrochemical products along the Gulf Coast as a licensed tankerman until 2001.  Thereafter, R.L. resided in Sugar Land and then Garland with his daughter Anna and her husband Dean.

R.L. had a passion for his family and enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren and great grandchildren on holidays and special occasions.  He cherished his many longtime friendships and membership in the Knights of Columbus and St. Charles Borromeo Parish of Nederland, including time spent with colleagues enjoying “senior proms,” field trips and “meet and greets” at the Fort Bend Senior Citizens Center and later the Garland Senior Citizens Center.  He enjoyed sporting events and cheered the 2022 World Series win by his beloved Houston Astros.  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends who enjoyed his company, humor, and stories of a life well-lived.

R.L. was preceded in death by his grandfather General Emiliano Sierraalta, parents Rafael and Clotilde Diaz and sister Carmen Diaz.

A gathering of Mr. Diaz’s family and friends will be 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2023, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2023, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue, Nederland, with his interment to follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland.

Memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Diaz may be made to the Casa de Venezuela Greater Philadelphia by visiting www.casadevenezuela.net or to Trustees of the Sailors’ Snug Harbor in the City of New York by visiting www.thesailorssnugharbor.org.