Diving first debuted at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics.

The world of Diving in the City of El Paso has a rich history and today, April 16th, 2026 Janis B. Prieto (Jan) one of the greatest divers in that

historic history has passed away. 

Janis Blades Prieto was born in McCombs, Mississippi in 1951. Kentwood, Louisiana was her early childhood home. The family then moved to El Paso where Jan resided for 70 plus years. She attended Crockett Elementary School and Bassett Middle School.

Janis was a 1969 graduate of Austin High School in El Paso, Texas. She went on to attend Louisiana State for two years where she was able to dive with the Tulane dive team. Janis then transferred to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and in 1973 graduated with a Bachelor of science degree; additionally earning her degree as a Registered Nurse.

Once Jan completed her nursing degree she worked as a dedicated nurse in El Paso area hospitals. She started her nursing career at Sun Towers Hospital and worked her way up to head floor nurse. Janis subsequently served as a school nurse for 20 years with Ysleta Independent School District. Ultimately Janis retired from Riverside High School. 

At the age of 11 Janis started diving and won five City Championships. During her four years at Austin High School, she competed in track and was ranked 1st in the State of Texas and 7th in the nation for hurdles in 1969.

In Janis’s first National Diving Championship she placed 17th out of 120 girls. Before Title IX (1972) authorized athletic scholarships for women, Janis took seven years away from diving to complete her education and to work. 

Since 1978 Jan consistently won gold or silver medals in National AAU Masters Outdoor and Indoor Championships. Even after back surgery in

1979, Janis went on to win 11 more gold medals. In 1980 Janis Prieto was

awarded Female Diver of the Year for the Masters AAU Division and All American. A full time Registered Nurse, she continued to teach diving for high schoolers. In 1982 she placed second in the Grand Master Class at the AAU National Diving Champions. In 1983 Janis was inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame. Janis was the 1985 World Masters Diving Champion in Canada. Janis competed in 20 United States Masters Diving Championships. She placed 3rd in 1988 at the World Masters Diving Championship in Australia.

Later, Jan expanded her teaching career and impact on the diving world by coaching college athletes at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. 

Janis’s passion for diving and dedication to her nursing career is her legacy in the El Paso community. At her home in El Paso Jan lovingly taught many young family members how to swim and dive. Jan loved

hosting family celebrations including her mother-in law’s 90th birthday celebration and Prieto family reunions.  Her love of animals and all dogs especially Golden Retrievers was demonstrated by her lifelong devotion to helping animals.

Janis and her husband Phil (2022) of 42 years loved to travel across the country in their RV.  They loved to scuba dive, go 4-wheeling, fish, boat, waterski, golf, and hike. Janis along with sister Patti took one more cruise to Alaska in the fall of 2025. 

Most of all, Jan and Phil loved their golden retrievers and

took them everywhere with them. Sweet Max will be adopted lovingly by her

sister Patti.

Janis was preceded in death by husband, Philip Prieto Jr.; her son, Brody Prieto; mother, Frankie Blades Watkins; father, Robert R Blades; and brother, Robert R. Blades Jr. 

Janis is survived by son Bryan(Cami), sister Patti Hragyil (Craig), niece & goddaughter Nicole, numerous Prieto family members, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Burial Services will be held at Fort Bliss National Cemetery on Monday, April 27th 2026.  Services at 11am. Please arrive 15 minutes early.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the ALS association or Golden

Retriever Rescue of El Paso, TX.