Anthony Duane Lopez

Tony moved to Colorado as a young boy. He grew up in east Denver where he met a young girl by the name of Maria Louisa (Mary Louise) Jimenez. Tony first befriended, and then courted Mary Louise during their childhood and through their days attending Cole Junior High and Manual High School.

In 1943 Tony enlisted in the US Army. He volunteered to become one of the Army’s first paratroopers. He was later assigned to one of the most elite fighting forces as part of F Company, 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team. He served in some of WWII’s most ferocious Pacific Theater battles on the islands of Mindoro, Noemfoor, Leyte, Corregidor and Negros.

It was during these combat missions that Tony forged and lost some of the best friendships of his lifetime. His service to his country during those two years in combat later became some of his most treasured and proud accomplishments. Tony was awarded several prestigious medals to include his Parachute Wings, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star for Bravery, the 503rd Presidential Unit Citation, along with the WWII Campaign Medal and Pacific Theater Campaign Medal.

After the War, Tony returned to the states where he reunited with his sweetheart, Mary Louise, and the two were soon married. Together they raised five children, Leroy, Flora, Thomas, Steve and Yolonda. Each of their children went on to raise families of their own and blessed Tony and Louise with fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

After discharging from the military in 1947, Tony worked in the coal mines of Wyoming and the fruit markets of downtown Denver before settling on a career in auto mechanics. He maintained his own business rebuilding transmissions and auto work from the late 1970s-1990s.

Tony also had a love of horses, the western lifestyle, and sports. He was the co-founder of the Denver Charro Association, which became the first Charro group to ever perform in the National Western Stock show. In 1990, Tony was a member of the Colorado Senior Softball World Series team that played in the national championship tournament in Phoenix, AZ.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s Tony’s attention turned to military reunions with his buddies from the 503rd PRCT. Tony and Louise traveled to numerous group reunions and sharing WWII stories became his passion. Locally, Tony became a prominent member of the 82nd Airborne Association Rocky Mountain Chapter as Parade Director and Quartermaster. Tony was instrumental in organizing Veteran’s Day presentations, organizing Memorial Day parades, fundraising, and other veteran support activities. He was also an active member of the GI Forum Mile High Chapter, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

In 2012, Tony was interviewed by the Denver Post as part of a tribute to WWII veterans and was recognized by Lt. Governor Gale Norton. Tony and Louise were also featured in a local PBS video production called “Colorado War Stories” showcasing Black and Hispanic service members and their spouses. Additionally, in 2016 Tony was one of thirty-four Latino veterans featured in a book called “The Color of Duty” written by his friend and former paratrooper Jose Aguayo. Tony was always proud to share his military service stories and pay tribute to the many men that died serving their country.

In 2010 Louise, Thomas, Steve and Yolonda accompanied Tony back to the Philippines and the Island of Corregidor where he fought in WWII. They visited historic battle sites and national cemeteries where some of his best friends were buried. He was celebrated as the guest of honor of the Filipino Military as he raised the US flag as part of the 65th anniversary of the re-taking of Corregidor from Japanese forces.

Tony accomplished so many wonderful things throughout his lifetime, but through it all, he loved Louise and their family most. Tony and Louise were often the top dancers at family weddings, frequent fans and attendees at their grandchildren’s ballgames, school plays, birthday parties, and family BBQs. They were also annual hosts of holiday gatherings, which featured stories, laughs, and card games. You could always stop by “Gram and Tot’s House” for green chili, fried potatoes, warm tortillas and a cold pop. Simply put, they loved their family.

In February 2014, Louise died unexpectedly of a brain aneurism. Following her passing, Tony was heartbroken, his pain increased, and his physical abilities diminished. In the end, Tony couldn’t wait to be reunited with his beloved wife.

On September 5th, 2019 Tony died in his home at the age of 94 surrounded by his family. His family and many of his friends visited him in the last few months of his life before Tony was reunited with Louise… to dance together again.

Tony was a genuine American hero with a strong sense of service. He was a man of honor, dignity, respect, kindness…and always with humility and a gentle sense of humor. He was a tremendous husband, father and grandfather who set an example for all.

Tony is survived by his sons Leroy, Thomas and Steve, his daughters Flora and Yolonda, daughters-in-law Cathie Lopez and Sharon Dominguez-Lopez, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will forever be admired and loved by his family. We will miss him greatly.

The Lopez Family asks that you share your loving memories of Tony with us and thank you for being a part of his life celebration.