- Date Of Death: June 30, 2019
- State: New Mexico
Juan Cristobal Lopez, 92, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and US Veteran, received his final earthly orders to report his soul to the Lord Jesus Christ June 30, 2019. He was born May 30, 1927 in the family home in Corrales, NM, to Perfecto and Anita Lopez. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marcella whom he adored and put first among all else. He is also survived by daughter Diana Lopez Story; daughter Rosalie Lopez de Spinello and husband, Jim Spinello; daughter-in-law, Leslie Pfeifer Lopez; brother, Gilbert Lopez.
Juan is also survived by grandchildren: John “Jason” Lopez and wife, Lisa; Nicholas Lopez and girlfriend, Maren, Ivy Lopez Clippard and husband, Logan; Michael Spinello and wife, Alexandra “Alex”; Gabriel Spinello and wife, Gabrielle “Gabby”; Joshua Spinello and girlfriend, Andrea; Ariana Lopez Story and Aeriss Lopez Story; great-grandson, Blake Story Lopez; great-great grandchildren, Gabriel, Ariana and Oliver.
Juan will also be missed by many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and neighbors.
Besides his parents, Juan was preceded in death by his son, John K “Kenny” Lopez; newborn grandson, Nathaniel Lopez; son-in-law, Paul Story; brother, Orlando Lopez; sister, Josephine Rose.
Juan was a veteran of 3 wars: WWII, Korea and Viet-Nam. He was drafted to the Army Air Corps Infantry in 1945 before he graduated from Albuquerque High School where he and Marcella met and dated. He re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1947 and served until February 1971 as an aircraft mechanic; a skill he learned in the aeronautics class at AHS. He worked on various aircraft: from O-1s “Bird Dogs” to B-29s. Juan participated in many significant military endeavors: development of air-to-air refueling and nuclear testings. He liked to tell the story of being part of the aircraft crew that flew through THE CLOUD (nuclear cloud) twice in one morning so that air samples could be collected. Along with that, the radiation decontamination process of himself and the aircraft was a story in itself (Tide laundry detergent worked best to clean the plane, btw). Juan was so proud of his military service and wore it proudly on his ‘signature’ cap; except when he was in a suit, of course.
A little known fact about Juan is that he was one of the first two graduates from National College of Business. He was one of the first to utilize the GI bill and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1979. He was so proud that he and Diana earned their college degrees the same year that Rosalie graduated from high school.
Juan frequently voiced his gratitude for ‘the good life’ he shared with his love, Marcella.
Juan’s story-telling, his love of gadgets, care of his hummingbirds and his yards, and, mostly, the love he showered on Marcella will be longingly missed.
