Gerald "Jerry" Diller

Gerald Joseph Diller, 84, of Amarillo died on Friday, May 18, 2018.

A rosary service will be held on Monday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. John Valdez presiding.  Burial will be at Llano Cemetery.

Gerald was born on March 10, 1934 in Texoma, Texas to Marvin and Frances Diller who instilled a strong work ethic and devotion to the Catholic faith.  He grew up on the farm outside of Hereford with 12 brothers and sisters.  It was there at the pond with his sister, Marcella, and brother, Kenneth, that he began his lifelong love of fishing.

After graduating high school from Price College in Amarillo, he continued his love of learning and higher education at St. Edward’s University in Austin.  After returning home to help tend the farm during his father’s illness, he then graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering.  He received his MBA from West Texas State University.

On May 31st, 1958 he married the love of his life, Sue Diller, who has been his devoted wife for almost 60 years.  They moved to Phoenix where Gerald began his career at Sperry and their first three children were born.  While at Sperry, he was awarded a U.S. patent for his work on a Manually Controlled Servo Steering System for the B-52 aircraft.  Returning to Amarillo, their youngest child was born, and Gerald (Jerry) began his 35-year career at Southwestern Public Service.  In 1997, he was honored by the Texas Tech Electrical Engineering Department, being elected to the Texas Tech Electrical Engineering Academy.  He retired in 1997 as the Vice President of Rates and Regulations, having enjoyed a successful and challenging career with many stories of travel, battles with regulatory agencies, great co-workers and eating crawfish at Pappadeaux’s in Austin!

Gerald was a devoted husband, wonderful Dad and DadDad, and devout Catholic who balanced a successful career with an active family, church and community life. He and Sue were founding members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church where he served a term as parish board president and was a lector and Eucharistic minister.  He also served as president of the Serra Club.  He was a great storyteller who loved golf, fishing, and Red Raider football.  He taught us all the gifts of kindness and faith and will be greatly missed!

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and Phillip; and sister, Coletta.  He is survived by his wife, Sue Diller; four children, Mark Diller (wife Kelli) of Phoenix; Michelle Erickson (husband Lyle) of Amarillo; Stephanie Hazuka (husband Paul) of Lubbock; Steven Diller (wife Suzan) of Dallas; 9 grandchildren, Jordan Barben (husband Tony), McCall Williams (husband Jon), Greyson Diller (wife Laiken), Lychelle Brown (husband Harry), Olivia Erickson, Heather Hazuka, Stephen Hazuka, Abbey Diller, Ryan Diller; 2 great-grandchildren, Molli Williams and Charlotte Williams; and 4 brothers and 5 sisters.

Family suggests memorials be made to St. Lucien's Chapel P.O. Box 5644, Amarillo, Texas 79117