Albert Lopez

Albert was the son of Alfred Lopez, Sr. and Beatrice Lopez who met him at Heaven’s gate along with his beautiful daughter, Trini Cantu, his grandson, Cruz Citizen, and his youngest sister, Sandy Lopez Martinez. The thought of their reunion celebration brings us joy in our sadness.

Albert’s loss will be felt most by his loving wife of 28 years, Tammy Rodriguez Lopez. She was the love of his life and he spent the past 32 years loving, spoiling and taking care of her. They were committed to each other and shared an unwavering faith through all of the joy filled moments as well as unbearable losses, through celebrations and illnesses; they had their own traditions and love language and were always by one another’s side. Albert’s pride and joy were his daughters, Trini (deceased), Victoria, Alex and Gaby. He was the most loving, dedicated, faithful and encouraging father any child could ask for. His daily text messages to uplift and pray over his daughters - or just make them smile, is just one of the many things they will all miss. He was funny and goofy and loud and silly; he always made them laugh; he was also never afraid to show his softer, affectionate, emotional side with his girls. He never missed a show, a game, a meet, or a practice and was there for all of their important events and every day moments in their lives. He was so devoted to their happiness and incredibly proud of the beautiful, generous, faith filled daughters he and Tammy raised together in Christ. He leaves behind three beautiful grandchildren, Corbin, Chloe and Creed, who he loved, adored, and spoiled. He celebrated their every single accomplishment and milestone – big and small. They called him Papa and he was the very best, most devoted Papa in the world.

Albert was the fourth of five children and his relationship with his three sisters, Mary Ann, Lisa and Sandy and his twin brother, Fred, is legendary. They had an unbreakable, unconditional, incredibly close, life-long bond admired by all who know them. They each had different roles in the family. Albert was the spiritual and worship leader; his nickname was Reverend Al and he was our go to person when you needed one-on-one prayer, had special intentions and when you just needed someone to help you work through something. He was always ready with a scripture, some biblical wisdom and a heartfelt, perfectly worded prayer. Albert made each of his in-laws feel as though they were his family and a part of him; not just by marriage. He lived his life providing a wonderful model of what a faithful, loving husband, devoted father, doting Papa, perfect brother, brother-in-law and son-in-law, caring Godfather, incredibly supportive uncle and fun-loving cousin and nephew should be.

Albert was born and lived most of his life in Baytown. He was a 1984 graduate of Sterling High School and played football alongside his brother Fred for the Rangers and later, the Screaming Eagles of the University of North Texas where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in 1989. The Lopez Twins were loved and feared on and off the football field. In college, Albert met Tammy and they later married and lived in Dallas. After returning to Baytown with their daughters, Trini and Tori, their family soon grew by two with the addition of Alex and Gaby. Albert worked for Dow Chemical in plant operations for 22 years and made many long-lasting friendships during his time at the Texas City plant. He was devoted to doing his best at every job he held, from serving as Gate Keeper at Dow, a title he was very proud to hold, to challenging his family to be their best selves, to doing the evangelical work he felt called to do.

His passions included his God, his wife, spending time with his children, grandchildren and extended family, celebrating his faith, cheering the Dallas Cowboys, watching college football, reading, and supporting his daughter Alex at Texas A&M University as the proudest Aggie Dad of all time. He was a 23-year member of Hillside Church in Mont Belvieu and served faithfully on the security team; he loved his church and church family. Albert’s daily devotionals with scriptures and other encouraging messages went out to more than 200 people. He had a talent for selecting verses that were exactly the Word that was needed at exactly the right time. He became an ordained minister in 2016 in order to perform the marriage of his sister, Mary Ann to Henry Hayes and, later, married his daughter, Victoria to Chris Citizen in 2018. Albert presided over a total of four weddings and one funeral. He was truly one of God’s disciples on this earth.

Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Alfredo and Beatrice Lopez, his grandparents, Miguel and Beatrice Hernandez and Celestino and MariaAnita Lopez, his daughter, Tristian Ann (Trini) Cantu, his grandson, Cruz Citizen, and his beloved sister, Sandy Lopez Martinez. He is survived by his loving wife, Tammy Rodriguez Lopez, his daughters Victoria (Chris) Citizen, Alexandria Lopez and Gabriella Lopez; Grandchildren Corbin Bray, Chloe Harper and Creed Alexander Citizen. His siblings Mary Ann (Henry) Hayes, Lisa (Ricky) Ibarra, Fred (Leasa) Lopez, and Kenny (Sandy) Martinez. His Mother-in-Law, Santos Wall, and in-laws Melissa (Gonzalo) Sanchez and Michael Wall. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and an incredible number of devoted friends, former teammates, co-workers and fellow prayer warriors.

The family wishes to thank all of those who prayed for Albert over the course of his illness and all those who made donations of time, food and offered so many other gifts of love for Albert’s immediate and extended family members. Special thanks go to the family and friends who prayed nightly with the family on ZOOM and the thousands of prayer warriors who, through Facebook, loved, supported and prayed for our family during this devastating time.

Pallbearers include Godsons Matthew Lopez, Brian Martinez, and Steven Sanchez and lifelong friends Johnny Aguilar, Raymond Cortez and Roy Morin. Honorary Pallbearers from Dow include Brad Johnson, Mike Ryman, Don Frieze, Doug Howard and from the family: Christopher Ibarra, Randy Gardner, Alfred Lopez, III, Landon Martinez, Rico Martinez, Michael Lopez, Joe Sanchez, Michael Wall, Jr., Talan Ramon, Patrick Ibarra, Tryston Ramon, Riley Martinez, Easton Sanchez and Aiden Gardner.

Services are under the direction of Earthman Funeral Home and will be held on Monday, September 21, 2020 at Hillside Church, 12319 Texas-146, Mont Belvieu, Texas 77535. Public visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Hillside service will be officiated by Pastor Mark Trice and will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Earthman Memory Gardens, 8624 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas 77521 immediately following the service. Graveside prayers will be led by Pastor Scott Niemeier. We ask that everyone wear a mask and remember to follow social distancing guidelines at all times at the viewing, service and internment. We love and appreciate you all and would like to wrap our arms around each of you for celebrating Albert’s life with us; however, since we already lost Sandy and now Albert to COVID-19, we ask that you feel our love and gratitude from a distance and, please, accept our virtual, no contact hugs for our safety and yours. Albert always reminded us to TRUST IN HIM… and so we shall.