Mr Joe Manuel Lopez Sr.

Joe M Lopez Sr, of Waco, TX passed away Friday, August 2, 2019. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors. Interment will follow in Waco Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Friday, August 9, at the funeral home.

He was born April 26th 1943 to Cipriano and Petra Lopez. He was a graduate of Waco High School, class of 1962. In 1966 he enlisted in the United States Army serving 2 years during the Vietnam War as a military police officer. After his combat service Joe Lopez joined the Waco Police Department in 1968 as a patrolman working to become one of the first Hispanic detectives on the force. In his many roles in civil service Joe remained committed to his community as a Texas Peace Officer. He will be remembered as a kind, loving, unselfish, noble son, father, uncle, grandfather and friend. Joe enjoyed family time including coaching his sons in Little League Baseball with his cousin Manuel Perez. Joe loved music. He was a professional musician as a saxophone player for several bands including but not limited to The Starlites, Ace and Company, Mingo Ramos and Groupo Sabor. Joe considered family a great part of his life and was always ready for a family gathering or a get to know you. It goes without saying that Joe Lopez is a generous man ready to assist with family events and community functions.

He was preceded in death by his parents Cipriano and Petra Lopez, his sister Cipriana and her husband Ernest Fajardo.

He is survived by his children son Ronald Lopez and his wife Erica, Joe M "Chop" Lopez Jr, Michael Lopez, his daughter Yolanda Montes and her husband Joe and son Joe “Rocky” Lopez, 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and former spouses Julia Luna and Santos Lopez.