The Life of James Clifton Lopez
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, for James (J.C.) Lopez, 82, who passed away on Monday, February 27, 2012 at his residence in Scott, after a lengthy illness.
Interment will be in Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery.
Reverend Monsignor J. Douglas Courville, JCL, Pastor of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Berwick, will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Giftbearers will be granddaughters: Leah, Janell, Jenna and Kendall. Lectors will be Ed Lopez and Mel Melancon. Jodi Bollich, soloist, accompanied by Tom Niel, organist, will sing "Amazing Grace", "Psalm 23", "Ave Maria" and "Panis Angelicus" for the services. Grandson, James Lopez, will sing "I Can Only Imagine".
Survivors include all eight of his children, Ed (Kat), Mel (Rick Melancon), Johnny (Margie), Jimmy (Mary), Michael (Carol), Gabriel (Kim), Jane (John Fuller) and Maria (Les Pitre); one sister, Thelma (Dr. John Ryan); twenty-four grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifton and Gertrude Lopez; one sister, Mildred Noel; and many extended family members, friends and loved ones.
James (J.C.) Lopez was a beloved son, brother, husband, father and friend to many. He was born in Algiers, Louisiana, the youngest of three. In 1931, the Lopez family returned to Lafayette, where J.C. grew up. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1947 and married in 1951, fathering eight children over the next 25 years. J.C. enjoyed many occupations, first and foremost as a father and dedicated to his family.
Following his tour in the Air Force in 1952, he was a salesman for Mack Trucks, graduated with a B.S. in Biology from SLI (now ULL), a salesman for Geigy Pharmaceutical, a business owner and a teacher in Lafayette and St. Martin Parishes. He lived a full and giving life. He enjoyed singing and golf and was a Catholic religious volunteer and prayer group member, who was dedicated and fervent in his faith.
J.C. was a strong, directing, exemplary and loving force for his family. His physical presence will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace in Jesus Christ.
The family is extremely grateful to many people and organizations, especially Hospice of Acadiana, Regional Medical Center of Acadiana and Dr.'s Indira Gautam and Gus Ingraldi. Their compassion and professionalism are indescribable. J.C. and his family were truly blessed by their care.
Pallbearers will be his sons and sons-in-laws: Ed Lopez, Johnny Lopez, Jimmy Lopez, Mike Lopez-Breaux, Gabriel Lopez, Rick Melancon, John Fuller and Les Pitre.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his eight eldest grandsons: Andy Lopez, Buck Andrus, Major Cliff Lopez, Josh Lopez, Ethan Breaux, Austin Lopez, Lee Fuller and Beau Pitre.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN Lafayette location on Friday, March 2, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and on Saturday from 8:00 AM until time of service.
A Rosary will be prayed Friday at 7:00 PM in Martin & Castille Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in honor of James C. Lopez to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or on their website at www.HospiceAcadiana.com.
Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311
