Felix Lopez

May 18, 1933 – August 5, 2025

Felíx López, known by his family and friends as “Lelo,” passed into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 5, after a long and fruitful life of abundant joy and love. Born in Gibara, a coastal town in the province of Holguín, Cuba, Felíx was the youngest of twelve siblings. His father, Jaime Lopez and his mother, Ana Martinez, were also natives of Gibara. Felíx, who went by “Nené” as a child, grew up amongst the sugarcane fields of his family, who were extensively involved in ranching and farming. As a young adult, he was a dedicated student and eventually left Cuba to pursue a college degree in the United States… A short time into his studies at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, Felíx met Cecilia – a dynamic and attractive Puerto-Rican student who would become his wife and life partner of 70 years.

Felíx and Cecilia married on May 16, 1954, and for several years found themselves uncertain of where to establish roots, spending short stints of time with their families in Puerto Rico and Cuba. Eventually, they decided to immigrate to the United States and Felíx was naturalized as a U.S. Citizen in Baltimore, Maryland on June 14, 1962. He was offered a job as a Spanish instructor with the United States PeaceCorps, a position he held while growing his young family, driving a DC Taxi, and finishing his collegiate studies at George Washington University, where he ultimately obtained a Bachelor’s in General Studies and a Master’s in Psychology.

In 1973, Felíx and Cecilia, transitioned again – this time to Houston, Texas, where they would spend the rest of their lives and enjoy the splendors of watching their children grow into adults, marry, have children, and grandchildren. In Houston, Felíx worked for a period with Sears, Roebuck and Co. before becoming an Assistant Superintendent of Operations with the Houston Independent School District, a profession from which he ultimately retired in 1998. Among many hobbies, Felíx was an avid runner, gardener, and baseball enthusiast. He loved the Houston Astros, flowers, and books. But he loved nothing more than his family, including his four children (Donny, Maritza, Raymond, and Anita), nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Felíx is preceded in death by his wife, Cecilia Lopez, and most of his siblings. Felíx is survived by his older sister, Mercedes, his children, and countless relatives and friends who are sad to let him go. Services in honor of Felíx Lopez will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, beginning with family visitation at 9 am, a memorial ceremony at 10 am, and burial at 11 am. Afterward, service attendees are welcome to stay for a reception with light food and refreshments. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Felíx’s honor to the Parkinson’s Foundation. https://www.parkinson.org/