It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Diana Mae Colton and Michael “Buzz” Aliʻi Colton, a couple whose extraordinary love was witnessed by their family and friends during their life together. Diana bravely battled cancer until peacefully passing on December 4th, 2023, with Buzz, the love of her life, present. Shortly after, Michael “Buzz” Aliʻi Colton passed away peacefully on Dec. 14, 2023, with family present in Rancho Mirage, CA.

The wonderful and sweet Diana Mae Colton, nee Anderson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 24, 1939, to Walter and Emily Anderson. She attended schools in Minneapolis, despised the cold weather, and left for a life of fun and excitement in Southern California soon after graduating from high school in 1958. She settled in Los Angeles and began a career that guided her to work in the aerospace industry. Her intelligence and charm led her up the ladder to a position as a trusted contract administrator and eventually, she assumed control and headed Hydrex Pest Control of San Diego. She remained the president and CEO of Hydrex of San Diego until her passing.

Diana spent the majority of her life in San Diego, La Jolla, Solana Beach,
Del Mar, and Indian Wells, CA. She was also a world traveler, visiting most of the world’s continents except for Antarctica. Diana’s favorite place on earth became the African safari countries that she visited on 3 occasions. Did she ever love elephants!

Michael “Buzz” Aliʻi Colton was born on June 27, 1946 to Lloyd Wilbur Colton and Virginia (Johnson) Colton in Honolulu, HI., Buzz always loved the ocean due to his childhood in Maui. After Lloyd remarried (Bobbie Mae Harris), Buzz eventually settled in Santa Cruz, CA, and attended Santa Cruz High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force.

Upon moving to Los Angeles as a young adult, Buzz – an avid tennis player and golfer – met his first wife (Barbara Moore), enrolled and graduated from UCLA, and started a family after obtaining a degree in Economics. Buzz had a nearly 30-year career in golf management from San Diego to the Coachella Valley. He was an accomplished marlin fisherman with numerous trophies, enjoyed spending time with family and rooting for his UCLA Bruins and San Diego Padres.

In 1989, Diana and Michael “Buzz” Colton’s love story began, in the most perfect place, the golf course. They were married in Wailea, Maui in June 1990 and resided in Indian Wells, CA. They enjoyed their life together playing golf and traveling and cruising seas and many of Europe’s rivers. They loved their annual visits to Hawaii and loved the Mauna Lani Resort on the Kona Coast. Buzz and Tutu, as she is lovingly called by her family, hosted their family and grandchildren on cruises around Hawaii and for many holidays. Christmas was Tutu’s specialty as each year she always created the wholesomeness and seasonal festivities to the highest degrees that were so special to all in their extended families.

Surviving Diana are son Troy Anthony Sears, Daughter Suzan Michelle Owen, special child Rebecca Brophy, beloved sister-in-law Marilyn Miller Anderson, O.D. Theresa Zaludek and best business buddy G. Ray Stansbury, her guardian angel. Also surviving Diana are the Minnesota clans of Connie Sue Anderson, Debbie Bebee, Vicki Hiley and Randy Anderson, and their wonderful kids and families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Emily Anderson, her favorite brother Donald Anderson, brother Dale Anderson, her precious sister Darleen Anderson Becky, and of course her Mini-Schnauzers Graemme, Ashley Ashley Anne, Leilani Mei and Punahele Mei. She was a champion of miniature Schnauzer dogs as she always had at least one “Schnauz” for the last 40 years of her life. Many thanks to Diana’s cherished caregivers: Brenda, Miriam, Manny, Liz, Donna, Jessica, Dr. Nnamaekea, Dr. Cole, Dr. Black. Buzz is survived by his stepmother Bobbie Bailey of Santa Cruz, CA; brothers Gary Colton of Kihei, HI; Dan Colton of San Carlos, CA; Steve Colton of Santa Barbara, CA; Casey Colton of Juneau, AK; and sister Ginger Bjornstad of Eugene, OR; his three children Chris Colton of San Diego, CA; Geoff Colton of Portland, OR; and Kim Potter of Santa Barbara, CA. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, an older brother, Lloyd King; and his beautiful bride, Diana Mae Colton. Both Buzz and Tutu are survived by their many grandchildren; Tom Sears of San Diego, CA; Amy Martinez of San Diego, CA; Whit Sears of Atlanta, GA; Zackary Owen, of San Diego, CA; Charlie and Evan Potter of Santa Barbara, CA; and a number of cousins, nieces, nephews and step-family.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in honor of Diana and Michael Colton to one of the following favorite charities of Diana and Michael: Shelter From the Storm for Women in Palm Desert CA., the Humane Society of the United States, Guide Dogs of the Desert, The Midland School in Los Olivos, CA., or Mended Hearts at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Burial services for Buzz and Diana Colton will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on Wednesday, January 3rd, followed by a Celebration of Life for the couple at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club in Solana Beach, CA. The burial services will begin at 2:00 pm at the Miramar National Cemetery located at 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA 92122. Following the burial, Diana and Buzz’s families will be hosting a Celebration of Life starting at 4:00 PM at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club located at 1505 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075. The family invites those who wish to honor the life of Michael and Diana to both the burial and the celebration.

Diana and Michael’s family share this message with all who knew them:
“May the sadness of losing our sweet Diana Mae and Buzz always be
overwhelmed by the absolute joy of knowing that they lived a wonderful life and loved us dearly."