Richard David Diaz (Ricky), 55, passed away in Lompoc on December 27th, 2009. Ricky was born in Herlong, California on August 27th, 1955 to Richard Diaz of Lompoc and the late Pia Carolyn Diaz (Ceccarrelli). Survivors include his father Rick Diaz, sister Carol A. Kirkland, daughter Christina Barke, son John Milligan, nephew Shane Kirkland (wife Karlie and twins Kade and Layne), niece Jade Kirkland, grandchildren Victoria Porter, Azaylah Diaz, and Braden Milligan and his very close friend Lily Yepez and sons. He was preceded in death by mother Pia Carolyn Diaz in 1999 and infant son Tony Diaz in 1978. Graveside service with honors by Boots-N-Chutes All Airborne Assn. will be 1 pm Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. A celebration of Ricky's life will follow at the American Legion Post 211 (636 North H Street Lompoc). Ricky was raised in a military family and ages 3 to 5 were spent in Japan where he learned both English and Japanese. He graduated from Lompoc High School in 1972. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany for 2 years. Ricky worked at John Mansville for many years while raising a family. He became a Certified Barber in 1995 and worked in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and LA. In 2006, he was certified in Construction Estimating and Project Management . After spending the last 5 years in LA, he came back to Lompoc to be closer to family and live with his father. He loved watching sports, and his favorite basketball team was the LA Lakers. He loved to Karaoke, sing, play guitar, and fish in the Sacramento River. He loved all of his family and never left a phone conversation without saying "I love you". Ricky was a member of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Indian Tribe, and also belonged to the American Legion Post 211 for 11 years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Legion Post 211 "Welcome Home Program". Three words that summed up Ricky's life are - laugh, love, and live!