Juan Orlando Lopez

Juan Orlando Lopez, a resident of Abiquiu, New Mexico, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness surrounded by his family on June 3, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his parents David and Juanita Lopez, his grandmother who raised him, Modesta Lopez, and Uncle Fermin Lopez, Sisters Flora Ortiz, and Mary Gardner, brothers Paul Lopez, and Porfirio Lopez, brothers-in-law Robert Brooks and Charles Gardner, in-laws Bernardo and Ida Archuleta, grandkids Elizabeth Archuleta, Anthony Archuleta, and Randy Sanchez.

Juan is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Virginia Lopez, his sons Bernardo Archuleta (Kari), Joseph Lopez (Renee), Fred Lucero (Lisa), Fermin Lopez (Jaclyn Rivera), and daughters Valerie Lopez, Rosita Archuleta, Ida Duran (Ross), Johanna Dominguez (Joel); sister Guadalupe (Pita) Brooks, Brothers Frank Lopez (Amelia) and David Lopez (Joann); Brother-in-law Jerry Archuleta (Sarah); 25 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Godchildren Carla Cdebaca, Leroy (Polo) Maestas, Manuel (Beetle) Benavides, Marylou Torres.

Juan worked for Johnson Controls as a teamster for 25 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory, retiring at the age of fifty-six. He was also a talented carpenter, he liked going to the mountains and working with the cattle, and he loved hanging out with the family. He served as President of the Abiquiu Water and Sewer Association for over 30 years, Fire Chief of the Abiquiu Volunteer Fire Department served on the Abiquiu Land Grant Board, Santo Tomas Parish Council, Abiquiu Gymnasium Board, and Mariodomo for Santo Tomas and Santa Rosa at the Parish in Abiquiu. He was a very sociable person, he enjoyed playing pool, and golfing. He played in the men’s basketball league in Abiquiu and Espanola and enjoyed bowling. He loved to joke around with his grandkids, and it made him happy when they came around.

Before he passed, we asked him what his biggest accomplishment in life was and he said “his family, he loved his wife so much and he was so proud of all his children”.

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, a Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Abiquiu, NM. On Friday, June 16, 2023, a Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Abiquiu, NM, with burial to follow immediately at the Abiquiu Cemetery.

Special Thanks to his professional, loving, and compassionate nurses MaryLynn Jacquez and Merica Martinez, and to all the family and friends who provided comfort to our family during this challenging time.

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