KAUAI (HawaiiNewsNow) - A trip to the beach turned into a tragedy for a Navy family stationed in West Kauai.

A loving father drowned while trying to save his son, leaving his life partner of 18 years gutted over the sudden loss.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz died Sunday, just one day before his 48th birthday.

He was with his children at Waiapua’a Bay fronting their military housing at Kauai’s Pacific Missile Range Facility. Going to the beach was their regular weekend routine.

“My son said, ‘Mom, I wanted to go and help dad, but I was scared I was gonna drown so I just kept swimming,’” Diaz’s life partner of 18 years Keyonna Fairley, Ret. YNC Navy Chief, said.

Together, Diaz and Fairley had three young children. Diaz was with the kids when a large wave overpowered his 9-year

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