John was born in San Luis Obispo, CA to Edward A. and Juanita "Wanda" Lamas Lopez. They were a family of three sons. The parents lived into their 90's, as did his older brother, Rudy. Only his younger brother, Benjamin "Buttercup", died too young at age 8.
John attended Cal Poly and had thought to continue his education at UC Davis. Instead, shortly after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He served from Feb. 1942 to Sept 1945, rising from private to sergeant. As part of the 40th Infantry Division, 213th Field Artillery Battalion, he spent 37 months in the Pacific, island hopping. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for Valor, for a non-combat act of heroism, rescuing an injured soldier from the cave-in of an underground personnel shelter on Kauai.
After the war, he married my mother, Helen, and became my stepfather. They relocated to Northern California, Solano and Napa counties, and together had a daughter, Janet. John and Helen enjoyed 42 years of marriage. It was devastating when Janet died just before her 38th birthday and Helen passed on 7 months later after a two year battle with cancer.
John's grief was lessened by a second marriage to Betty, a local vineyard property owner in Gordon Valley. They had many good years together. Unfortunately, over the last several years, John's mobility was so impaired that he could no longer leave the house. For a man who had always enjoyed outdoor activities that was very sad. He had also out-lived the friends, who used to visit and take him out.
He was a man of integrity, honesty, and generosity and he will be dearly missed. You will always be in my heart, Dad. I'm thankful for the 70 years of wonderful memories.
JoAnn Lucas
http://www.bryanbraker.com/obituaries/John-Lopez-5/
Note: At the time this memorial tribute was written by JoAnn Lucas, there was no obituary posted on the funeral home's website (Oct 25, 2015)
John attended Cal Poly and had thought to continue his education at UC Davis. Instead, shortly after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He served from Feb. 1942 to Sept 1945, rising from private to sergeant. As part of the 40th Infantry Division, 213th Field Artillery Battalion, he spent 37 months in the Pacific, island hopping. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for Valor, for a non-combat act of heroism, rescuing an injured soldier from the cave-in of an underground personnel shelter on Kauai.
After the war, he married my mother, Helen, and became my stepfather. They relocated to Northern California, Solano and Napa counties, and together had a daughter, Janet. John and Helen enjoyed 42 years of marriage. It was devastating when Janet died just before her 38th birthday and Helen passed on 7 months later after a two year battle with cancer.
John's grief was lessened by a second marriage to Betty, a local vineyard property owner in Gordon Valley. They had many good years together. Unfortunately, over the last several years, John's mobility was so impaired that he could no longer leave the house. For a man who had always enjoyed outdoor activities that was very sad. He had also out-lived the friends, who used to visit and take him out.
He was a man of integrity, honesty, and generosity and he will be dearly missed. You will always be in my heart, Dad. I'm thankful for the 70 years of wonderful memories.
JoAnn Lucas
http://www.bryanbraker.com/obituaries/John-Lopez-5/
Note: At the time this memorial tribute was written by JoAnn Lucas, there was no obituary posted on the funeral home's website (Oct 25, 2015)
John was born in San Luis Obispo, CA to Edward A. and Juanita "Wanda" Lamas Lopez. They were a family of three sons. The parents lived into their 90's, as did his older brother, Rudy. Only his younger brother, Benjamin "Buttercup", died too young at age 8.
John attended Cal Poly and had thought to continue his education at UC Davis. Instead, shortly after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He served from Feb. 1942 to Sept 1945, rising from private to sergeant. As part of the 40th Infantry Division, 213th Field Artillery Battalion, he spent 37 months in the Pacific, island hopping. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for Valor, for a non-combat act of heroism, rescuing an injured soldier from the cave-in of an underground personnel shelter on Kauai.
After the war, he married my mother, Helen, and became my stepfather. They relocated to Northern California, Solano and Napa counties, and together had a daughter, Janet. John and Helen enjoyed 42 years of marriage. It was devastating when Janet died just before her 38th birthday and Helen passed on 7 months later after a two year battle with cancer.
John's grief was lessened by a second marriage to Betty, a local vineyard property owner in Gordon Valley. They had many good years together. Unfortunately, over the last several years, John's mobility was so impaired that he could no longer leave the house. For a man who had always enjoyed outdoor activities that was very sad. He had also out-lived the friends, who used to visit and take him out.
He was a man of integrity, honesty, and generosity and he will be dearly missed. You will always be in my heart, Dad. I'm thankful for the 70 years of wonderful memories.
JoAnn Lucas
http://www.bryanbraker.com/obituaries/John-Lopez-5/
Note: At the time this memorial tribute was written by JoAnn Lucas, there was no obituary posted on the funeral home's website (Oct 25, 2015)
John attended Cal Poly and had thought to continue his education at UC Davis. Instead, shortly after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He served from Feb. 1942 to Sept 1945, rising from private to sergeant. As part of the 40th Infantry Division, 213th Field Artillery Battalion, he spent 37 months in the Pacific, island hopping. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for Valor, for a non-combat act of heroism, rescuing an injured soldier from the cave-in of an underground personnel shelter on Kauai.
After the war, he married my mother, Helen, and became my stepfather. They relocated to Northern California, Solano and Napa counties, and together had a daughter, Janet. John and Helen enjoyed 42 years of marriage. It was devastating when Janet died just before her 38th birthday and Helen passed on 7 months later after a two year battle with cancer.
John's grief was lessened by a second marriage to Betty, a local vineyard property owner in Gordon Valley. They had many good years together. Unfortunately, over the last several years, John's mobility was so impaired that he could no longer leave the house. For a man who had always enjoyed outdoor activities that was very sad. He had also out-lived the friends, who used to visit and take him out.
He was a man of integrity, honesty, and generosity and he will be dearly missed. You will always be in my heart, Dad. I'm thankful for the 70 years of wonderful memories.
JoAnn Lucas
http://www.bryanbraker.com/obituaries/John-Lopez-5/
Note: At the time this memorial tribute was written by JoAnn Lucas, there was no obituary posted on the funeral home's website (Oct 25, 2015)
