Pete John Lopez

Pete John Lopez

On January 14, 2022, at 11:41 pm, Pete John Lopez died peacefully at the age of 87 in his home in La Verne, California, surrounded by his loved ones.  His achievements and accomplishments are enormous.  Not only a loving husband and father, but he was also a respected man of multiple talents.  His children would often refer to him as “A man who could build a house from the ground up”; however, this would only scratch the surface of his amazing life.

Pete was born in Ontario, California, on April 14, 1934, to the union of Nicolas Lopez and Concepcion Franco Lopez, and eventually, he joined the U.S. Army, becoming an 82nd airborne paratrooper.  While serving our country, he met the love of his life, Natalia Andrade.  Throughout their 62 year marriage, their family grew to include four successful children, Gregory John, Sonja Ray, Yvonne Frances, Nicholas Arthur, and 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

He began his career as a teacher/coach in 1963 at Pomona Catholic/Damien High School in La Verne.  In 1965, he transferred to Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, where he served as Head of the Spanish Dept. and Assistant Varsity Football coach.  After two years, he accepted a position at Serra High School in Gardena, where he continued to teach Spanish, coach football, and was the Athletic Director until the Spring of 1970.  At that time, he relocated to La Verne and spent 20 years as a Spanish teacher at Bonita High School.  Pete held the Varsity head football coach position for many successful seasons and served as the MECHA Club advisor.  Throughout his career, he positively directed many students, football players, and staff alike, teaching many essential life lessons to all who knew him in a unique and personal way.  As one fellow coach observed, “He was one of those men whose impact on those who worked with him or for him will last forever.”

Pete was a man of great faith and engaged his Catholic principles in every part of his life.  He attended daily Mass, spent hours in Adoration, and was devoted to the Blessed Mother, praying the rosary each day.  Pete was a multi-talented person who enjoyed various activities, including carving, painting, gardening, home, and car restoration, photography, swing dancing, beach and airshow/museum trips.   Above all, he deeply loved and cared for his family, friends, and others and sought to help and guide each person to gain the highest level of personal achievement.  Pete John Lopez was deeply loved by many and will be greatly missed, but will always remain cherished in our memories and be a hero in our hearts.

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