Birth: Jan. 25, 1936Death: Apr. 26, 2013Vargas, Jose Diaz, passed away on April 26, 2013 as a result of a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Jose was born on January 25, 1936 in San Martin Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico. Jose was the eldest of six siblings. His father died when he was eleven years old leaving him the man of the house. At the age of 15 Jose left home in order to help support his family. He entered the United States and worked in the fields eventually he ended up driving a trash truck in Anaheim, California. He married and started a family. He entered school at the age of 25 years and earned his high school diploma at 30 years old. Jose then attended Fullerton College for the next three years. Seeking a new challenge Jose went to work for the Stanton Police Department in 1969. In 1975 he transferred to the Santa Ana Police Department where he worked until his retirement in 1997. Jose had a stellar career being recognized in 1978 as one of the outstanding police officers of the year by the International Association of Chief's of Police. He was the first Hispanic Affairs Officer in the United States and pioneered law enforcement relations with the Hispanic community. Jose was a legend in the Spanish speaking community in Orange County and always had his door open to help anyone no matter what the problem. From 2001 to 2003 Jose served as the host of "Que Pasa con Jose" a weekly talk show focusing on Hispanic issues on Adelphia television until he could no longer communicate due to Parkinson's.Jose is survived by 8 sons and 1 daughter, Joe and Jennifer Vargas of Corona, CA, Richard Vargas of Azusa, CA, Ken Vargas of San Diego, CA, Chuck and Lisa Vargas of Long Beach, CA, Jim and Rachel Vargas of Oceano, CA, Phil and Frances Vargas of Corona, CA, Jeremy and Julie Vargas of Silver Springs, MD, Danny and Jeanette Vargas-Zook of Garden Grove, CA, and David and Erika Vargas of Kittery, ME. Jose had 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, CA. A public viewing will be held on Friday, May 3rd from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4th at Fairhaven's Waverley Chapel. Burial will follow at Santa Ana Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donations to the Jose Vargas Scholarship fund at Santa Ana College. www.FairhavenMemorial.com .Published in Orange County Register on May 1, 2013