Obituary of Jose Lopez

Rosary for Jose "Joe" Lopez, 81, of Abernathy, TX, will be recited at 7:00 pm Thursday, September 28, 2023, at St. Isidore Catholic Church with Rev. Brian Wood and Deacon Roy Garibay officiating. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am Friday, September 29, 2023, at St. Isidore Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy. Mr. Lopez died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 24, 2023 in Lubbock, TX. He was born March 19, 1942 in Lytle, TX, to Luis Lopez, Sr and Gregoria (Cortez) Lopez. He married Carmen Ramirez, June 9, 1963 in Hale Center, TX. He always loved to tell the story of what it cost his parents for the doctor to come to the family home to deliver him; 7 chickens a shotgun and a pistol. Joe was raised in Abernathy in a migrant family. Each cotton harvest the family would go to Merkel, TX and then return so Joe could continue attending school. At age 14 Joe had to quit school to help his family. He began working for Brown Supply in Abernathy, and later worked for Harrison Thrash and Lubbock Manufacturing as a painter. Joe began working for Herb Rapstine at Coach Manufacturing in Abernathy, remaining with the business once it was moved to Plainview and became EMCO Manufacturing. Joe was their paint foreman and was known as the Michaelangelo of truck and tank painting. Joe eventually retired from Harmon Tank in 2006. He also painted a truck with the Dallas Cowboy colors and logo that was used in their advertising. He also painted other show trucks with tremendous amounts of detail. He painted cars on the side as a hobby. Joe was very creative and ingenious. After retiring, he enjoyed playing bingo and going to casinos and loved cooking. He was a charter member, helping build St. Isidore Catholic Church and served in many capacities at the churches in Abernathy and New Deal. He served as Boy Scout leader and little league coach when his sons were involved. He helped his daughters sell Girl Scout Cookies, and they laughed and said he was the top seller and should have received their merit badges for his cookie sales. Joe loved fishing and gardening, eating the vegetables straight out of the garden with his children. Education for his children was very important. Joe and Carmen loved to go to dances, where they weren't sitting idly, but dancing. Above all these things, Joe was a Godly man and taught this love of God to his family. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters, Reyes Trevino, Maximina Avalos, Patsy Perez and Julia Hernandez, and 2 brothers, Juan Lopez and Albert Lopez and daughter-in-law, Tricia Garcia Lopez. He is survived by his wife Carmen Lopez of Abernathy, 6 children, Jose Lopez, Jr and wife Socorro of Santa Teresa, NM, Rachel Moreno and husband Gilbert of Abernathy, Eddy Lopez and wife Corina of Abernathy, Reb Lopez of Abernathy, Rosi Montoya and husband Gilbert of Abernathy and Nathan Lopez and wife Shayna of Lubbock. He is also survived by 3 sisters, Consuelo Torres and husband Caje of Lubbock, Juanita Rios and Mary Guajardo and husband Is, all of Lubbock, 8 brothers, Louis Lopez and wife Alma, Gilbert Lopez, Mario Lopez and wife Flora, all of Abernathy, Richard Lopez and wife Angela of Albuquerque, NM, Danny Lopez, Andy Lopez and wife Sandra all of Abernathy, Robert Lopez and wife Liz of Rotan, TX and Smiley Lopez of Lubbock. Joe loved his grandchildren dearly and had nicknames for everyone, Gabi Cavazos and husband Matt, Gil Moreno, Mariana Lopez, Jose Lopez III, Georgina Marie Lopez, JoLina Vianney Lopez, Gilbert Montoya and Jaime Montoya and 4 great grandchildren, Brandon Chase, Bria Chase, Jonah Cavazos and Samuel Cavazos. The family suggests memorials to the Texas Tech Burkhart Center for Autism, 2902 18th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409.