Jose Arturo Lopez

Jose Arturo Lopez was born and raised in Alice, Tx to Martin and Lilia V. Lopez. He had eight brothers and sisters; Angelita, Martin, Jilma, Sylvia, Mario, Myrna, Cesar and Homero.   He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years Aurora Lopez; his three children, Arturo, Lilia and Carlos; five grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, James, Jacob and Colton; and one great grandchild, Preston. 

His youth was not a common or easy life.  His father Martin died when he was nine years old and he lost his mother at the age of twenty-four.  The stories about his childhood were fairly common for a young boy growing up in South Texas.  He had brothers and sisters that loved him and cared for him.  His best friend growing up was Pat Villareal.  They went to grade school and junior high together.  Dad graduated from Willam Adams High school in 1963.

His late sister Jilma and brother-in-law, Arturo Canales played a crucial role in Jose’s life.  They supported him in so many ways in high school and after his mom and dad died.  He was extremely close to his sister Jilma and neice Kathy all his life.   

Shortly after graduation Jose joined the Army in 1963. He was stationed in Korea, Ft Hood and Ft Mammoth and was honorably discharged in 1966.  After leaving the Army, he attended and graduated from Corpus Christi State University.  Along the way, he met Aurora. The family is pretty sure he only graduated college because of her.

One of the first times Jose went to meet grandma and grandpa Vasquez, he showed up wearing typical pants and shirt, but he was also wearing bright red socks with his ensemble.  Luckily Jose still won Grandma over despite his taste in socks. 

Jose was proud to be a firefighter in the Corpus Christi Fire Dept from 1969-2002.  He started his career as an EMT, Ladder Truck Driver and eventually rose to rank of Captain.  He ended his career teaching at the fire academy in Corpus Christi.  

Jose had all types of hobbies that he enjoyed. His main hobbies included golfing, gardening, and hunting.

He loved to golf with his brother, Caesar and old friends from Alice and Corpus.  Gardening at their home in Robstown was about a 10 months out of the year obsession for him and Aurora.  Arturo and Carlos enjoyed hunting with their dad. It was a simple way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Some of Jose and Aurora‘s favorite activities included going on family vacations to Florida, Lake Tahoe or anywhere else they decided to go; and if there was a casino nearby they would find it. 

Jose loved Christmas and especially making tamales.  It was a wonderful tradition to make tamales together with some of his sister’s-in-law and grandma Vasquez.  The tamales were a family affair. It was a long weekend of cooking meat, grinding, and seasoning in preparation to make the tamales the next day.  One year Jose was able to supply almost all the ingredients from either his garden or from animals the family harvested. 

Jose and Aurora, like all parents might not have had the perfect marriage, with their ups and downs; but over the 55 years of their marriage, Jose honored Aurora and cared for her till the end. They celebrated 55 years of marriage this November. 

Jose and Aurora moved to El Paso, Tx  five years ago when they realized they needed help to care for themselves. When they moved there, Jose made his daughter, Lilia, promise that when it was his time, she would bring him back home and that is what they did. Jose died peacefully on his terms at his ranch surrounded by his family. He told Lilia, “don’t be sad for me, I had a good life. I am proud of what I’m leaving behind. I finally get to see my mom, dad, brothers and sisters again.” 

Visitation will be at 11:30am on Monday, January 8, 2024 at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. The Rosary will be recited at 12:30pm and Mass will begin at 1pm. Graveside will follow at Memorial Park.