Obituary: Raul Lopez

Raul Lopez, 87, entered into eternal peace on Feb. 21, 2024, surrounded by his family in Chandler, Arizona. Raul was born Aug. 1, 1936, in El Rancho Pamaseo, Moroleon, Guanajuato, Mexico. He was the son of Jose and Alberta Lopez.

In 1955, Raul married the love of his life, Amalia Lopez. They were married for 58 beautiful years. Raul was a true pioneer. Wanting a better life for his family, Raul joined the Bracero Program, traveling to the United States on a work visa, where he worked various agricultural jobs throughout California. While in the United States he attended night school to learn to read and write English. He became a U.S. citizen in August of 2000.

In 1964, Raul and Amalia brought their young family to the United States where they settled and worked in the mining town of Bagdad, Arizona for 35 years.

After retiring from Bagdad, Raul and Amalia moved to Prescott Valley, Arizona, enjoying many years with friends and family. Every visit to their home in Prescott Valley was filled with food, laughter and Mexican Ranchero music.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Amalia, along with his sisters Maria and Christina. He is survived by his children, Josefina (Mike), Juvenal (Sandy), Lela (Manuel), Rigo (Veronica), Raul (Kelly) and Rosa (Lance), 16 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at St. Germaine Catholic Church on Friday, March 8, 2024. Included in the Celebration of Life is a Rosary Vigil/Visitation 10:30-11:00 a.m., a Catholic Mass from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., and a luncheon will follow the Mass at St. Germaine.

Funeral Service/Internment will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Heritage Memorial Park Cemetery, Dewey, Arizona.

Sunrise Funeral Home of Prescott Valley has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Information provided by the funeral home.