On Monday, January 15, 2024, Richard Lopez Sr., full of love, happiness, and joy, passed away

peacefully surrounded by his family. His beloved wife of 76 years, Carmen Garcia Lopez, was

by his side at the time of his passing.

Richard was born in Galveston, TX on May 26, 1926 to Nicolas Lopez Sr. and Romana Martinez

Lopez. He was truly proud to be BOI (born on the island). He grew up in the neighborhood

around St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where he also attended school. He had many childhood

friends and as a teenager he met his forever sweetheart, Carmen Garcia. While their love was

blossoming, so began World War II. At 17 years old he enlisted in the Navy with many other

brave young men of “the greatest generation.” After training in Corpus Christi, TX, he was

assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kasaan Bay where he served for three years. He proudly

wore his ‘World War II Veteran’ ball cap ever since.

During his courtship while in the Navy, Richard wrote many letters to Carmen asking her to wait

for him. He professed his love to her in his words, both written and in songs. He infamously sent

her a recording of him singing “Night and Day,” all but ensuring Carmen would be his.

After the war, he returned home and was engaged to Carmen within a year. They were married

on September 14, 1947 at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Galveston. They came to be known as the

two lovebirds in Galveston by all who knew them. Their romance never faded, not even after 76

years.

Richard and Carmen spent their early years of marriage starting a family in Galveston until

moving to Texas City, TX. There, Richard worked at Smith-Douglas Plant and eventually Amoco

Oil Company. They attended St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church where he joined

the Men’s Club and volunteered at Our Lady of Fatima School where his daughters attended.

During his lifetime, he got his pilot’s license, volunteered with the civil air patrol, Boy Scouts of

America, and was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus 787 in Galveston. In 2001 he

received his high school diploma along with other Galveston WWII veterans while his family

proudly watched.

At every opportunity, Richard would dance with his wife, whether out on the town, or in the

comfort of his own home. He was a wonderful singer, dancer and roller skater. He loved big

band music and enjoyed singing love songs to his sweetheart. He was a skilled golfer and

taught his sons Rick and Mike to play, and eventually taught Carmen as well. In his final years,

nothing pleased Richard more than watching his family grow. He loved cooking for them,

spending time with them, and best of all, loving them.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Nicolas Lopez Jr. and Gilbert Lopez, sister

Francis Lopez Kerr, great grandson Wyatt McNamee, and grandbaby angels Sean and Kevin

Higgins.

He is survived by his wife, Carmen, his six children: Rick Lopez Jr. (Brenda), Sandra Petrie

(Dennis), Michael Lopez Sr. (Rhonda), Bonnie Eneix (Bill), Brenda Paige (Ron), and Trish

Lopez Higgins (Steve), as well as eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a donation of non-perishable food to St. Vincent de Paul Pantry in Texas City

is requested.