Ygnacio Perez Diaz

Ygnacio Perez Diaz, age 90, was born in Fowlerton, TX to Santos and Julia Perez Diaz on February 1, 1933. He passed away on November 2, 2023.

He was a proud Texan, Mason, Navy Veteran, firefighter, and outdoor chef. He was a Scout leader (Pack 830) and member of the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society. He worked at Dallas Baptist University for many years.

He joined the Masons in October 1958 and served in many capacities over his 65 years as a Mason and Shriner. He was a past master. He particularly enjoyed acting as steward, often with his good friend Ed Graham. In 2005 he was honored by his Masonic brothers with the Golden Trowel award, which he treasured. He loved his Masonic brothers as family.

He grew up in Fowlerton, TX and in Peshtigo, WI. He attended Charlotte High School. At sixteen, he was driving cattle trucks. He joined the Navy on March 27, 1951 at the age of eighteen and served onboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hancock as a firefighter. He met his beloved wife of sixty-one years, Mamie, on May 15, 1952 when she was at Baylor University School of Nursing. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he became the first paid Hispanic firefighter in Dallas County. He became Captain in 1969.

He is survived by son Ricardo, daughter-in-law Katie, granddaughters Rosalind (Bobby Dunne) and Renata (Jerald Pinson), sister Pauline Wicker of Garland, TX, sisters-in-law Lynette Diaz of Arlington, SD, Juanita Diaz of San Antonio, TX, Della Sena (Phil) of Sante Fe, NM, and Irene Martinez (Benny) of Albuquerque, NM, brother-in-law Nando Sandoval of Los Lunas, NM, and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Maria Eremita (Mamie) Cordova Diaz, his parents Santos Silva Diaz and Julia Perez Diaz,  siblings Juanita Castro, Antonia Moya, Lucia Hollan, Julio Diaz, and Esteban Diaz, sisters-in-law Gertrude Sandoval, Florence Cordova, and Lily Cordova and brothers-in-law Crisofero Moya, Jose Castro, Hugh Hollan, Frank Wicker and Presillano Cordova.

Visitation is at 10:30am, Wednesday, November 15, at Jeter & Son Funeral Home, 4830 Illinois Avenue in Dallas. The service begins at 11:15 am. Appreciations and music will be shared by family and friends. A religious service will be conducted by Pastor Carl Allen. Masonic brothers John Dooley-Chaplain, Joe Hocker-Senior Warden, Norm Stewart-Junior Warden and C.D. Kelton-Worshipful Master will conduct a Masonic Burial Service. Masonic brothers Jeff Harper, Tom Hilburn, Roy Miller, David Mills, Chris Rodriguez, Buddy Sheppard, and Gene Smith (Alternate) will act as pallbearers. A graveside service is at 1 pm at DFW National Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Oak Cliff Masonic Lodge #705, 1309 Newport Avenue, following interment.

Services :

Visitation will be held on November 15, 2023 from 10:30-11:30am at Jeter & Son Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:30am

Military Honors and Interment will be held at 1pm at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery.