Atanacio G. Lopez, Sr.
1932-2008
Atanacio G. Lopez Sr. died Nov. 15, 2008 at his home in Carlsbad, New Mexico. He was born May 2, 1932 in Terlingua, Texas to Juan and Santiago Lopez. He married Magdalena Armendariz on Sept. 26, 1954. He proudly served in the Korean War, where he received three medals: US Army Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Korean Service Medal with 2 stars and was also a member of the New Mexico National Guard. Atanacio and Maggie had eight children and later adopted one of their granddaughters.
He worked for many years in the Loving Cotton Gin and also worked for the Carlsbad Irrigation District. He loved farming and spending time with his family. He farmed many farms in and around the Loving-Malaga area and he also farmed as far north as Minnesota, where he took his family with him. He eventually bought his own farm and farmed it for many years until he was unable, due to health problems.
He would always make time to help others in need, never asking for anything in return. One of his greatest joys was teaching his children and grandchildren about farming, he also enjoyed telling stories of when he was growing up and serving in the military. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Antonia Lopez, Carlota Lopez and Melitona Palomino; one brother, Candelario Lopez; and two sons: Danny A. Lopez and Richard A. Lopez.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Magdalena Lopez of the home; one sister, Eusevia Harris of Ider, Ala.; three sons: Guadalupe A. Lopez and wife Helen, Atanacio A. Lopez, Jr. and wife Gail of Carlsbad, and Jaime A. Lopez and wife Susan of Artesia; four daughters: Terry Ruiz and husband Tony of Loving; Sylvia Carrillo and husband Margarito, Celia Ortega, and Christy Tavarez and husband Ralph all of Carlsbad. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was our Rock. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will by 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel and 6-7 p.m. at San Jose Catholic Church.
A Prayer Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Espiridion Muniz officiating.
Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at San Jose Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 18, 2008, at San Jose Catholic Church with Father Valentine Jankowski, OFM, Conv. Officiating.
Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM.
Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Orlando Lopez, James Lopez, Michael Carrillo, Aaron Ruiz, Atanacio Lopez III, Joseph Lopez and Moses Palomino. Honorary pallbearers are all of his grandchildren.
1932-2008
Atanacio G. Lopez Sr. died Nov. 15, 2008 at his home in Carlsbad, New Mexico. He was born May 2, 1932 in Terlingua, Texas to Juan and Santiago Lopez. He married Magdalena Armendariz on Sept. 26, 1954. He proudly served in the Korean War, where he received three medals: US Army Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Korean Service Medal with 2 stars and was also a member of the New Mexico National Guard. Atanacio and Maggie had eight children and later adopted one of their granddaughters.
He worked for many years in the Loving Cotton Gin and also worked for the Carlsbad Irrigation District. He loved farming and spending time with his family. He farmed many farms in and around the Loving-Malaga area and he also farmed as far north as Minnesota, where he took his family with him. He eventually bought his own farm and farmed it for many years until he was unable, due to health problems.
He would always make time to help others in need, never asking for anything in return. One of his greatest joys was teaching his children and grandchildren about farming, he also enjoyed telling stories of when he was growing up and serving in the military. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Antonia Lopez, Carlota Lopez and Melitona Palomino; one brother, Candelario Lopez; and two sons: Danny A. Lopez and Richard A. Lopez.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Magdalena Lopez of the home; one sister, Eusevia Harris of Ider, Ala.; three sons: Guadalupe A. Lopez and wife Helen, Atanacio A. Lopez, Jr. and wife Gail of Carlsbad, and Jaime A. Lopez and wife Susan of Artesia; four daughters: Terry Ruiz and husband Tony of Loving; Sylvia Carrillo and husband Margarito, Celia Ortega, and Christy Tavarez and husband Ralph all of Carlsbad. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was our Rock. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will by 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel and 6-7 p.m. at San Jose Catholic Church.
A Prayer Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Espiridion Muniz officiating.
Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at San Jose Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 18, 2008, at San Jose Catholic Church with Father Valentine Jankowski, OFM, Conv. Officiating.
Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM.
Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Orlando Lopez, James Lopez, Michael Carrillo, Aaron Ruiz, Atanacio Lopez III, Joseph Lopez and Moses Palomino. Honorary pallbearers are all of his grandchildren.