Lucio Estrada Diaz

Lucio Estrada Diaz, 49, of San Antonio, Texas passed away tragically on January 6, 2025. He was born

November 14, 1975, in San Antonio, Texas as the third of four siblings (Rachel Farr, Eustacio Diaz, Sandra

Adams, and Carolina Casanova). Lucio’s story begins in the small Texas town of Brookesmith. It is in this

Texas ranching community where Lucio developed many of the characteristics that would make him the

leader, friend and family member that we all know and love. Hard work with cattle, playing football and

the relationships he built all helped to shape Lucio as he grew. In the early 1990’s Lucio and his family

returned to his birth city of San Antonio, Texas where he enrolled in Highlands High school. It was during

this time that he met his lifelong childhood friends James Adams and Mario Jaramillo. It was also during

this early time that Lucio rekindled many of the relationships of his extended family. His primos. During

these days, Lucio would become the social butterfly we all love. Time with family and friends, parties

and social gatherings became a way of life for Lucio. Lucio loved people and he knew no stranger. It was

a few years later in life that Lucio would face the events that he would use to help encourage so many of

the young people he met in the Navy. He freely and unashamedly shared his story with those who

needed something to believe in. Those he mentored and guided needed to know that they too could be

overcomers. As we know, every overcomer story needs a dark moment to overcome. Nightlife led to fast

times. Fast times led to crazier parties. Crazier parties led to dangerous and questionable decisions. It

was only a small step that the San Antonio night life would help lead Lucio into the life of being in

gangs. Oddly enough, Lucio was quite the charismatic leader even on the streets of San Antonio. Lucio

became the life of every party with family and friends. Sadly, many of the questionable decisions finally

caught up with Lucio. Lucio found himself in the back of a police cruiser and eventually went to

jail. Lucio would find himself in and out of jail a few times until the event that changed his life

happened. At one of the parties, Lucio fell victim to a drive by shooting. After his stay in the hospital,

Lucio made the decision to enter a Christian program known as The Victory Outreach Program. Victory

Outreach is a national Christian Program that specializes in ministering to drug users, gang members and

prostitutes. It is here where Lucio made his greatest life-changing decision. He accepted Jesus as his

Lord and savior. Lucio would spend about a year in this program and became a charismatic leader for

Christ. After some time with Victory Outreach, Lucio decided to enlist in the United States Navy.

Lucio enlisted in the greatest Navy in the world in October of 2000. His first, and favorite, sea command,

the USS Devastator (MCM 6), began an illustrious career where he continued to serve on various

platforms to include Navy Recruiting District, San Antonio, Texas, USS Thatch (FFG 43), various galleys in

Hawaii, USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) where he was selected to join the goat locker

as Chief Petty Officer and he won the Edward F. Ney Memorial Award, and ended his career doing what

he loved the most-developing young Sailors in culinary excellence at NSSATC Learning Site San Diego

resulting in his selection to Senior Chief Petty Officer. CSCS (SW/AW) retired in June of 2022, but the sea

continued to call. He joined the Military Sealift Command and deployed on the USNS Alan Shepard (T-

AKE3).

It is often said that love is the strongest force in the world inseparable in life that cannot be separated by

death itself. Lucio met his Chata in 2000 and their first date was going to the movies to watch the Perfect

Storm where Veronica let him know he could not join the Navy because he would be on a ship. Lucio did

not take that advice and 4 months later he joined the Navy and took Veronica on the adventure of a

lifetime. Lucio had many accomplishments, but his greatest was being a dad to his three children. He

loved watching his children grow into who they are today. He loved nothing more than spending time

with his adult children, Benny (in heaven), Joe and Jake. He was always there for them, whether he was

helping them prepare for a job interview or enjoying time during a family vacation.

Lucio was a commanding presence that could light up a party, control a situation or break an awkward

silence with humor and sarcasm. To know Lucio was to love and respect him. Lucio was filled with honor

and loved the challenges and opportunities to mentor others. Most of all he loved the camaraderie and

“Brotherhood” he created in and out of his military service. His presence shined like a light wherever he

went. Each place was better because of him. His love for others was a gift and his home was a refuge for

many and a revolving door for relatives and friends alike. The house was always filled with love, laughter,

music, and Lucio’s good cooking.

Lucio is lovingly survived by his wife of 24 years, Veronica, and his two amazing sons, Joseph Anthony

Diaz, 23, and Jacob Andrew Diaz, 20; his father, Eustacio Diaz., his eight siblings. He is preceded in life by

his brother Alfred Alcacio and survived by his siblings Jose Armando Diaz, Rosa Diaz, Juan Carlos Diaz,

Lupe Diaz, Rachel Farr, Eustacio Diaz Jr., Sandra Adams and Carolina Casanova.

A celebration of life will be held at Bravo Family Mortuary San Diego on January 23rd, 2025, at 4-8pm

with an Military Honors ceremony at Miramar National Cemetery on January 24th, 2025 at 3:30pm. Lucio

was loved by all. He will be missed by all. His absence will leave our family forever incomplete. As Lucio

always said: “Jesus loves me!”