Frank "Panchito" Lopez

Frank “Panchito” López of Las Trampas, NM unexpectedly passed away on July 3rd, 2023. Panchito made his grand entrance January 5, 1971. He attended and graduated from Penasco High school in 1989, where he was quite the popular athlete, musician, student, and friend. Frank kept many friendships alive throughout the years. He never went somewhere without making new friendship. A social butterfly!

After graduation he called many places home, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, California, and Boston. He loved traveling where he picked up speaking remarkable Spanish and French. Some of his loves were art, music, photography, gardening, sunsets, skiing, cooking, swimming, teaching/educating, culture, catering, and the mountains to name a few. Loving life and taking opportunities. No matter where he traveled or where he lived Las Trampas was always home. 

Faith was his rock, he was proud to be a Hermano, Pellegrino, and participated in several religious retreats. Family was always important to Panchito. He was proud to be named after his Father and honored to carry on his name. His mother was his everything. His siblings were his babies and protected them fiercely. He was a proud uncle and an ecstatic NINO! As a nephew he enjoyed learning, harassing, laughing with his aunts and uncles. It was his treasure! His highlights were the time he spent with his cousins. The messes and adventures they made growing up in New Mexico and in California, well into adulthood. He loved his cousins so very much! Friends and Neighbors were his family, and he was to them. He shared many Holidays and special events with them. The Trampas hopper! He made sure to check on everyone near and far.

Frank was a very compassionate and driven individual. A loving free spirit who’s smile and contagious laughter would light up any room. He always knew how to make work feel like fun.  Everything he did was always extraordinary, Frank's way! He was very meticulous and detail oriented. A PERFECTIONIST!

Frank faced many challenges, setbacks, and health issues in life. Yet he kept fighting! He never settled, always setting goals, challenges, and expectations for himself and the people he loved. He was the definition of making lemons into lemonade. The “Miracle Man”.

Frank is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Bernie Lopez, grandparents, Fernando and Ofelia Lopez, Margarita, and Amador Trujillo. Padrino Precillano Padilla, Special Aunt Evelynn Gonzales, Uncles Margarito Montoya, George Visarraga, Jose Ortega, Pricilla (Ben) Sanchez, Alfonso Trujillo, Friend/Brother Ray Pacheco Jr. 

Frank is survived by his loving family - Father Frank Lopez Sr., Siblings; Michelle (Matthew) Martin, Fernando (Charlotte)Sanchez-Lopez, Heather (Guillermo) Atencio, and Eric Lopez; Nieces and Nephews, who he loved very much; Dominic, Dylan, and Mia Lopez, Marissa, Maiya, and Makayla Martin, Alyssa, Katalina, and

Lorenzo Atencio, Estrella and Victoria Ortega-Lopez; Best Friend/Sister Denise Pacheco, Goddaughter Julianna Falcomata. 

Aunts and Uncles Leroy (Shirley)Lopez, Oralia Visarraga, Lucille Ortega, Mariquita Lopez, Sylvia Lopez, Bernice Montoya, Barbara (Dave) Roybal, Leo (Theresa) Lopez, Lee (Tiny) Trujillo, Stella Padilla, Florie Lindsay, Tina Gonzales, Manuel (Denise) Trujillo, Elmer (Patsy) Trujillo, Norma (Daniel) Apodaca, Joseph Gonzales, Nancy Trujillo, and many other loving family and friends. 

Our family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mariquita, Sylvia, Valerie and Herbert for everything they did for Panchito in his time of need.

Services will take place on Tuesday 7/11/23 5:00 PM viewing and 6:00 PM Rosary, DeVargas Funeral Home, Espanola, NM.  Wednesday 7/12/23 Rosary at San Jose De Garcia Church, Las Trampas NM 6:00 PM. Thursday 7/13/23 Funeral Mass at 2:00 PM, San Jose De Garcia Catholic Church, Las Trampas, NM. Burial immediately after mass, Las Trampas Cemetery.

The family of Frank Lopez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneal.com  505-747-7477