Gerald "Jerry" Francis Diehl

Gerald (Jerry) Francis Diehl, devoted husband of 56 years and loving father went into the arms of his Lord on May 31, 2017 with his wife and children at his side. Jerry was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 20, 1940 to the late Lawrence and Virginia Diehl. Jerry and his family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1949 and lived there most of his life. Jerry spent four years in the Air Force and when he was stationed at Hamilton AFB in northern California he met his wife Lyn. They were married in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mill Valley, California on May 20, 1961. Jerry, nicknamed The Hawk, joined the Arizona Highway Patrol in 1962 and spent 22 years patrolling in Flagstaff and northern Arizona. After retiring from the Department of Public Safety he went to work for the Museum of Northern Arizona providing security. In 1993 Jerry and Lyn moved to Tucson, Arizona and Jerry went to work for Arizona Mail Order, again in security until he was forced to retire for health reasons. Jerry loved to hunt, fish, and enjoyed RVing until his health forced him to quit. Above all Jerry and Lyn valued their faith and family and were Foster Parents for over nine years and gave loving homes to more than 30 children. Jerry and Lyn are members of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and attended daily Mass; Jerry loved being a Eucharistic Minister. Jerry is survived by his wife Lyn, and children Lyn Rhind, Tucson, Jerry Jr., Flagstaff, and Teresa Godoy, Tucson and their spouses Charles Lovell, Sandy Diehl, and Joe Godoy. Jerry is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Jerry was proceeded in death by his older brother, Tom Diehl (Carolina), Tucson, and is survived by his younger sister Virginia Campbell, Tucson, and eight nieces and nephews and their children. Memorial mass to be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church 300 N. Tanque Verde Loop, Tucson, AZ 85748 on June 10 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the building fund of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 300 N. Tanque Verde Loop, Tucson AZ 85748 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105.