Fidel Rodriguez Lopez

Fidel Rodriguez Lopez was born April 24th, 1956 in Tepatitlan Jalisco Mexico to Celestino Lopez and Alejandra Rodriguez. Fidel was the 2nd oldest of the siblings including Manuel Lopez, Eusebio Lopez, Tlielaxu Feyd Miykel Lopez, Martin Lopez, Maria Shafer and Jose Lopez.

Fidel came to the United States when he was about 9 years old to Union City. After hanging out with the wrong crowds as a teenager he began to study the Bible and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He later met his wife Alma Cervantes. Fidel enjoyed telling his story of how through building a relationship with Jehovah God how that transformed his life and even was able to help those he spent many of his teenage years with. Fidel loved children so much and really wanted some of his own. On July 18th, 1987 they brought into this world Yadira Janet Lopez and on February 10th, 1989, Marvin Joseph Lopez.

Fidel supported his family working as a cement mason throughout the Bay Area. He was in the union for 27 years.

Fidel especially enjoyed the time when his children were young. He loved taking them to the park, Oakland Zoo, Monterey Bay, Pier 39, Knotts Berry Farm, Pinecrest, Half Moon Bay, to get ice cream at Thrifty’s, Car Shows, sledding etc. He had such a special place in his heart for all of his nieces and nephews and their children as well. He looked forward soooooo much to take his only grandson, Ashton Richard MacNeil, to the Oakland Zoo one day. He spent as many days as he could driving up to see his grandson. They loved swimming in the pool, walking around the block and getting frozen yogurt.

His family loved him dearly and always cherished his wit and generally upbeat disposition towards others. He LOVED to laugh and LOVED to make children laugh with his Donald Duck Voice! He loved so much to talk to strangers no matter where he was, especially to their children if they had any.

Fidel is remembered for his unconditional love of his family, friends, and his God. His affection for music, dancing, nature and architecture infused our lives with fun and joy. Having family get-togethers and trips are what he lived for. He always unselfishly put others first. Many have recounted stories of just how important in their life his help and guidance had been to them. Fidel delighted in teaching people and was always available to help someone in need. Helping different ones with home projects, encouraging those who were ill, traveling out of state to pick things up for others, was there to pick you up if you ran out of gas, helped train some in his trade and even gave them tools.

Some of his greatest joys came from helping build many, many Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls throughout the years. Fidel and Alma enjoyed so much spending time with family and friends camping, trips to the snow, trips to Mexico, going to Half Moon Bay and Fishing. He really enjoyed nature, animals, classic cars and the beauty in architecture.

He taught us to love our God Jehovah, maintain our faith no matter the stresses and anxieties this world brought his way.

Fidel’s memory will always be with us and continue to touch and influence our lives. We are all looking forward to the day we see him again. The day when he will be young, happy and health, helping others.