Fidel - Age 87 - Truchas Lopez

Fidel Lopez, 87, a lifelong resident of Truchas passed on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at home. Fidel was born to Nicudemos and Pasqualita Lopez on April 25, 1923. Fidel was employed by Zia Company in Los Alamos for 21 years as a laborer and foramen. He also worked for St Michael’s High School as a maintenance supervisor at the Jemez House Boys Ranch in Alcalde where he retired. Fidel was a WWII veteran and member of the American Legion Post 89 in Truchas for 64 years. He served in a number of Post, District and Department positions during his 64 years as a Legionnaire. He was one of the chartered members of Post 89. He was also a life member of the VFW. Fidel Lopez entered the Us Army at the age of 21. He was married to Rosita Lopez and they had their 1st child Rubel. Fidel left from the bus station in Española (Livingston Motel) to Fort Bliss, Texas on August 16, 1944. He was shipped to Fort Lewis, Washington where he took basic training. After completion of basic training he was stationed at Indian Gap, PA Where his company prepared to ship out to Europe. His mother Pasquilta was very sick and he was granted two weeks of emergency leave. When he returned to Indian Gap, PA his company was shipped out to Europe. He was assigned to Camp Ansa, California where he joined another company that later shipped out to Calcutta, India by ship byway of Sidney, Australia. He was on KP when they landed in Sidney for 24 hours. He assigned to the 3290th engineer utility detachment as a carpenter until his return after the war ended. He was honorably discharged from Fort Sam Huston, Texas on July 3, 1946 attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6). He joined the American Legion Post 89 in 1947 after he was discharged from the Army and was one of the original chartered members of Post 89 in 1947 after he was appointed Department Aide De Camp for the Northeren part of the state by then State Commander Elizardo (Sardo) Sanchez in 2006-2007. Mr. Lopez was preceded in death by his parents Nicudemos and Pasqualita Lopez; brothers: Candido Tafoya of Albuquerque, Jose Lopez of Truchas. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Rosita Pacheco Lopez; sons: Rubel Lopez and wife Sharon of Las Vegas, Nevada, Manuel Lopez and wife Rafelita of Truchas; daughter: Josina Rinaldi and husband Edward deceased of Bernallio; sisters-in-law: Maria-Inez of Truchas, Rachel Tafoya of Albuquerque. Fidel has nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren. Public visitation will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel at DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Truchas, New Mexico. Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico w the following serving as pallbearers: Gene Lopez, Anthony Lopez, Thomas Lopez, David Valdez, Jose Eluid Valdez, Danny Salazar; honorary pallbearers will be all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family of Fidel Lopez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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