Joe J. Lopez

Joe J. López, 88, former resident of White Deer, Texas and long-time New Mexico resident died peacefully Friday morning, April 10th. His final days were spent surrounded by his loving family at his Rio Rancho home. Born on July 28, 1926 in San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato, México to Miguel López and Julia Calderón, Joe lived a fulfilling life. Though born into tumultuous times to humble beginnings, he directed his energies toward unimaginable heights, even as a child. As the darkness of the dust in the sky rolled into town during the Dust Bowl Era, he would alarm his mother that the “borreguitos” or black sheep were coming. Little did he know that the dirt under his nails from the fields in which he toiled as a child during the Great Depression would someday help Americans walk on the moon. At 18, he served his adopted country by enlisting in the US Army and was stationed in the Pacific Theater. Joe received his US citizenship after leaving the military in 1945 and worked relentlessly to show he was worthy of the privilege. Though discrimination was overtly ubiquitous in the United States at the time, Joe persevered and triumphed by graduating from Texas Tech with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Industrial Management. As a Safety Officer, he directed the Ground Explosives Program for Reese Air Force Base. His hard work led him to become Safety Manager at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for the Apollo missions. He went on to receive numerous commendations for his work at NASA and the Department of Energy. Joe finished his professional career in Los Alamos, NM at Johnson Controls Inc. as Safety, Health, and Environmental Manager. He is survived by his spouse, Teresa B. López of Albuquerque; children, Joe M. López, and Silvia Carpenter with spouse Andy Carpenter, of Las Vegas, NV; Ana M. López, with spouse, John Simms, and David López, with spouse, Trish Lopez, of Albuquerque, and grandchildren Gabby Conely-López, Joseph López, and Bianca Carpenter, siblings Sister Dolorine López, Fidel López, Cecilia López and Johnny López. Joe was preceded in death by his brothers, Jimmy and Efren; sister, Isabel; and brother Joe Raymond. The Rosary will be recited Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 6:00 p.m. at French Funerals-Cremations: 9300 Golf Course Rd. NW, Rio Rancho with Sister Dolorine reciting. Viewing will be available from 3-6 and after the Rosary. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, April 16, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 1502 Sara Rd SE, Rio Rancho, with Father Aragon, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery. FRENCH - Westside 9300 Golf Course Rd NW 505-897-0300

Joe J. Lopez

July 28, 1926 - April 10, 2015