Joe was born on January 26, 1934, in Southern Colorado on a small ranch in the town of Model, where his parents Isador and Josephine Lopez, welcomed him into the world. His father later moved the family when Joe was a youth to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Joe was the second oldest of eight children and as Joe got older, he continued to spend his summers in Model working with his uncles on the ranch.
As a teenager he was a Golden Gloves Boxer and in 1951 at the age of 17 he joined the United States Marine Corp. Joe was deployed to Korea where he served honorably. Later in life he was awarded the “Ambassador For Peace” medal, by the government of South Korea.
While in the Marine Corp Joe was stationed in Miami, FL where he met the love of his life Patricia. On December 7, 1955, Joe and Pat got married. They went on to start a beautiful life and family together. They were blessed with three children, David, Cindy, and Steve and the beautiful family Joe created with Pat continued to grow with six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Joe and Pat were happily married and in love for 66 years.
Joe’s greatest joy was always his family and he prioritized them above everything else in his life. He would stop or put on hold anything he was doing to be there for anyone who needed him, brothers, sisters, children, nephews, nieces and grandchildren could always count on him.
Over the years Joe enjoyed hunting trips and fishing in Canada. He was a man of hobbies such as woodworking, poker games with the guys, coin collector and an avid story teller. He was a true lover of life and it extended to his work as an electronic engineer where he worked for several companies that took him around the United States. More notably for NASA in Houston, TX and then to Chicago, IL where he started his own Computer Service business and where he raised his family.
Later in life Joe and Pat moved to Loveland, CO, where he proudly served his community. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corp League, volunteer policemen, volunteer bailiff and active parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Joe is survived by his wife, Patricia; three children, David (Kathy) Lopez and Cindy Shoemaker (Stuart Roat); six grandchildren, Ashley, Andrew, Maxx, Alex, Charlie and Karly; one great grandchild, Lilly; and three siblings, Louis Lopez, Marie Crader, and Tom Lopez.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Steve Lopez; sisters, Dora Martinez and Dolly Roybal; and brothers, Richard Lopez and Danny Lopez.
Joe truly lived a beautiful life and was loved by so many. He will be greatly missed by friends and family.
