Albert "Betito" James Díaz Jr., age, 36, a resident of Velarde, NM and La Puebla, NM, drowned while swimming in the spillway of Santa Cruz Lake on Friday, June 22, 2012.

Albert was preceded in death by his father, Albert Díaz Sr., grandparents, Phil Díaz Sr. and Mary Díaz and Casimiro and Ramoncita Montoya, uncles, Steve Montoya and Casey Montoya Sr., Tio Pete Montoya and cousins, Patricia Lucero, Casey Montoya Jr., Arlo Martínez Jr. and Jeremy Montoya.

Albert was a radiographer for 13 years, with an Associate's Degree of Applied Science in Radiological Science.

Betito was a very friendly person who was always willing to help any way he could, he was very caring and did not like to see people hurt.

Albert had a very outgoing nature and could put a smile on your face with just a few words, together, with his unique sense of humor, laughs were never in short supply.

A jack of all trades, he loved tackling the next project with a sense of "doing the job right" with a "no shortcuts" attitude. His family and friends were very important to him and he loved us all, giving you the shirt off his back. Albert was a huge sports enthusiast who loved football and basketball. During sports seasons you could find him watching the games, especially his favorite team, Kansas City Chiefs, along with cooking his famous chili and if you wanted to know about sports all you had to do was call him.

Albert was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, camping and was an expert angler, anywhere he fished he caught. Albert was also very knowledgeable in many areas and always had good advice for a friend.

To his close family we knew him as "Betito".

Albert is survived by his fiancée, Annabelle Martínez, step-daughter, Amanda Martínez, son, Albert James III, mother, Bernadette Díaz and Mike Shebala, brother, Charles Díaz and his wife, Adelina, sister, Monica Díaz, niece, Bernadette Torres, nephews, Shaun Martínez, Charles Díaz Jr. and Carlos Casias, close family friend, Robert Martínez, uncles, Frank (Eva) Montoya, Thomas (Yolanda) Montoya, Matias (Evelyn) Montoya and Phil (Marian) Díaz Jr., aunts, Rita Maestas, Ramona (Ted) Peña, Jenny (Ron) Shafer, Rosemary (Richard) Maés and Bernie Montoya, in-laws, Raymond and Concha Martínez, brothers-in-law, Ray (Barbara) Martínez, Ron (Shay) Martínez and Elmer Martínez, sisters-in-law, Connie (Jody) Garduño and Cindy Martínez and numerous cousins and other relatives and many close friends.

Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada with burial to follow at La Puebla Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Robert Lucero Jr., Danny Serrano Sr., Sammy Naranjo Jr., Charles Díaz, Carlo López, Jim Chávez, Ricardo Chávez and Dominic Tafoya. Honorary pallbearers named are Tracy Serrano, Theodore López, Larry Peña, Johnny Peña, Adelina Díaz, Bernadette Torres, Robert Martínez, Paul Sandoval, Frankie Martínez and León García