Samuel Edson Diddle 

Published 12:53 pm Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Samuel Edson “Ed” Diddle, age 85, passed away on March 31, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by his family. Born on May 17, 1939, in Elizabethton, Tennessee, Ed was the son of the late Dixie Cooper Diddle and Oran “Bill” Diddle. He spent his childhood among the scenic mountains of East Tennessee and attended high school at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He earned a degree in economics from the University of Tennessee. On Dec. 26, 1959, Ed married the love of his life, Julia Stone Diddle, in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Following his graduation, Ed embarked on a long and successful career with Caterpillar Inc., where he worked from 1963 until his retirement in 1998. During his tenure, he traveled extensively while he served as manager of sales for Canada, South America and the eastern United States. Ed and Julia lived in Toronto, Canada; Germantown Hills, Illinois; Galesburg, Illinois; Roanoke, Virginia; and Aiken, South Carolina. The two shared 44 wonderful years of marriage before Julia’s untimely death in 2003. The family finds comfort knowing he is finally reunited in heaven with his dear wife.

Ed found his greatest joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren, celebrating each of their milestones and accomplishments. He was an enthusiastic sports fan, especially when it came to cheering on his alma mater, the University of Tennessee Volunteers. An avid golfer, Ed enjoyed playing courses in the United States and around the world.

Ed spent the later portion of his life in San José del Cabo, Mexico, seasonally from 2004 until 2020 before making it his permanent home. There, he became a beloved member of the Las Misiones community, serving as a member of the board. He also enjoyed volunteering as a golf marshal at the Palmilla Golf Club and supporting local charities. He treasured the kindness and support of friends in that close-knit community, whom he considered a second family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and sister, Margaret “Peggy” Diddle Parkey, and is survived by his daughter, Laura Dawn Diddle (Brian Hildebrant), and son, Samuel Andrew “Sam” Diddle (Taya Sundell). He leaves behind six beloved grandchildren: Julianna Diddle Schoepf (Jared Schoepf), Bergen Diddle, Elin Diddle, Elizabeth Hildebrant, Andrew Hildebrant and Christopher Hildebrant. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sara Adams (Henry Adams), along with many nieces and nephews, who affectionately called him “Uncle Bo.”

A private memorial and burial service is planned for the summer of 2025 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Additionally, a community memorial service at Las Misiones in Mexico will be held in the fall of 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ed’s name to Feeding Los Cabos Kids or the Los Cabos Humane Society.