Juan Jose Lopez

Juan Jose Lopez, age 54, died unexpectedly Sunday, September 21, 2003 following a sudden illness. Juan was born August 22, 1949 in Fort Sumner, NM to the home of Augustine and Macedonia Barela Lopez. He was reared and attended schools in Fort Sumner. He married Diana Tapia on July 28, 1992 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Juan loved swimming and enjoyed countless hours at the Blue Hole swimming, diving and snorkling. He loved to watch the Santa Rosa Lions football team, and especially loved watching his nephews Thomas and Joaquin play. Juan was a member of St. Rose of Lima Church and the Fort Sumner Council of the Knights of Columbus. He is preceded in death by his father Augustine Lopez, a sister Alice Garcia and a brother Carlos Lopez. Survivors include his wife Diana Lopez of the family home in Santa Rosa, his daughter Leticia Lopez also of the family home, his son Harold Lopez of Albuquerque, his mother Macedonia Lopez of Fort Sumner, five sisters Gloria Coronado and husband Abel; Jean Boughton and husband Dale of Albuquerque; his twin sister Juanita Madrid and husband Samuel of Austin, TX; Deanna Martinez and husband Jesus of Portales, NM; Angela Lucero and husband Gilbert of Rio Rancho, NM; three brothers Sonny Apodaca and wife Irene of Clovis; Robert Lopez and wife Angela; and Carlos Lopez and wife Brenda of Fort Sumner, NM. Also surviving are his mother and father in law Steve and Odelia Tapia of Pastura, NM his sister's- in-law Lillian Gonzalez and husband Thomas of Pastura, Susan Martinez and husband Scott of San Antonio, TX and a brother in law Ernest Tapia and wife Mary Lou of Santa Rosa as well as numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and many friends. Rosary services will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 7:00 from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 from St. Rose of Lima with Father Nick Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Santa Rosa. Serving as Pallbearers will be Thomas Gonzalez, Joaquin Gonzalez, Danny Barela, Gary Casaus, Dominic Lopez, Tito Gonzalez, Ralph Sena and Richard Chavez. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be all his many friends. All services are entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South Third St., Santa Rosa, NM (505)472-3369.