Aurelio Arturo “Roy” Diaz, age 69, of Biloxi, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eusebio and Emilia Diaz. He is survived by his wife, Kelly Diaz; daughters Angela (Jeff) Diaz Mercer of Milton, Florida; Amanda (Shane) Diaz Steele of McHenry, Mississippi; Emily Rae Diaz of Biloxi; and stepsons, Keifer Turner of Pensacola, Florida; and Kohlson Turner, Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Roy was born in Cuba on August 29, 1949, and he became a naturalized citizen on March 20, 1970. He joined the United States Air Force in 1971 and served for 26 years before retiring. For the past several years, he worked in civilian service for the Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base as electronics technician.
His greatest devotion in his life was to his three daughters. Nothing was more important to him than their happiness and wellbeing. Second to that was his love of the ocean. He was a master scuba diving instructor, and he shared his passion for diving by teaching the skill to hundreds of individuals over the years who speak with great admiration and affection for their patient and fun-loving teacher.
Everyone who knew Roy was blessed by his influence and his strength of spirit. He will be remembered with love and laughter and the assurance that we will see him again.
The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.