Francis S. Lopez

Francis (Frank) Stanley López passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 100 on January 3, 2019. He was born in Torreon, State of Coahuila, Mexico, on March 10, 1918, to Chita and Pache López, the 5th of 11 children. His family migrated to the United States in 1927 where Frank attended high school in Elsie, Michigan. He graduated from Elsie High School and attended East Lansing College (later known as Michigan State University) before the family relocated to Houston, TX. Frank enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 25 fighting in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He survived when his ship received extensive damage due to attacks by Japanese Kamikaze pilots. He served in the invasion forces of Saipan and Okinawa and thereafter in the occupational forces in Nagasaki after the surrender of Japan in WWII. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1946 as a Corporal. At the age of 100, Frank was the oldest living Marine veteran in the Houston area.

After returning home from the war, he enrolled at the University of Houston, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics in 1951. From 1952 to 1995, he owned and operated Southwestern TV and Air Conditioning in the Houston area and then worked independently with other shops until he retired in 2010 at the age of 92. In retirement, Frank enjoyed following Houston’s professional sports teams and relished being alive to see his beloved Houston Astros win the World Series in 2017. He also loved spending leisure time with his 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He leaves to mourn his loving wife of 76 years, Josephine, and his 6 children, Frank (Lola), Edward (Sarah), Laurence (Monica), Ted (Clare), John (Marina), and their only daughter, Mary (Mark). He is also survived by his brother, Albert, his sister, Lupe De La Rosa, his sister-in-law, Josefa López, and several nieces and nephews.

The family gives a special thanks to Anchor Hospice for the care provided during the past few weeks. They also greatly appreciate the loving comfort and guidance that we received from Nurse/Owner Tricia Kinnard who eased the transition and made it less painful for Frank and his family.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the Rosary at 6:00 pm at Advantage Funeral Home, 7010 Chetwood Drive, Houston, TX 77081. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 10:00 am at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 6921 Chetwood Drive, Houston, TX 77081. Interment will be at the Houston National Cemetery at 12:45 pm.