George Daniel Lopez

By The Lopez Girls – Terri, Carrie, Sherrie & Merri

Let us tell you about our dad and what a truly amazing person he was. He was loved and respected by

so many people during his 82 years of life and the world is a better place because he was in it.

It all started on Tuesday, July 8, 1941 in San Diego, California. George Daniel Lopez was welcomed

into the world by his parents George and Elvira Lopez. He was soon joined by his younger siblings Ruben

Lopez and Gloria Lopez Reynolds, and, a bit later, Raul Lopez. George was an O’sider and loved everything about living in and being part of the Oceanside Community. From the very beginning, his father and mother instilled in him a strong sense of family and community. He watched and learned from his parents,grandparents and all of his relatives, the importance of being a positive influence to those around you and the enduring value of helping others.

As a young man, George followed his stars by being a dutiful son and helping his father at the Silver

Slipper Ballroom Dance Hall in downtown Oceanside, joining him as a salesperson at Karl’s Shoes, and later as a store manager. George graduated from Oceanside/Carlsbad High School in 1959 and was steadfast in his commitment to this close-knit community for 65 years- he especially enjoyed being part of the Class of ’59 reunions. Acting upon his value and commitment to education, George was proud to be the first to attend college in his family and earned his Associate of Arts degree in Architecture from what is now known as MiraCosta College (more about this later!). In November of 1961, at the age of 21, he married the love of his life, Linda Romero, from Vista, CA. Together, they raised a family of four independent, intelligent and beautiful daughters: Terri Lopez-D’Andrea, Carrie Lopez, Sherrie Romo and Merri Lopez-Keifer.

In 1973, George changed his stars – leaving the for-profit business world-- and embarked on a new career path with the non-profit organization known as SER (Service Employment Redevelopment) - Jobs for Progress. SER helped develop and cultivate human resources for San Diego County’s workforce, both in the private and public sectors. The non-profit’s special emphasis was in addressing needs in the areas of education, job skills training, literacy, employment opportunities and accessing affordable housing. SER’s mission and values spoke to George’s aspiration to help make the world better by helping others “to be” the best versions of themselves- for their families and their communities. Quite simply, our dad helped people obtain jobs and education – changing their lives, and their stars, for the better.

Throughout his 38-years of service, George rose from being a project director to being SER’s

CEO/President, and served on the National SER Board of Directors for many years. In addition, George was a constant force for good in the community – serving as Chairman of the Board for many organizations: such as the American G.I. Forum, a national organization that focused on veterans’ issues, education, and civil rights; BECA, an organization that provides financial scholarships to college-bound Latinos; North County Health, a regional health care systems organization that provides quality access to healthcare for all communities; and North Coast Housing, a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing for members of disadvantaged communities.

These fervent values – a commitment to community and being of service to others -- captured the attention and gratitude from President Bill Clinton and two California Governors: Pete Wilson and Gray Davis. Under both Governors Wilson and Davis, George proudly served as a Governor-Appointee on the Job Training Coordinating Council (later known as the California Workforce Development Board), where he assisted the Governor’s Administration in setting and guiding development, oversight and continuous improvement of California’s workforce development systems. George’s passion, his hard work, his commitment to improving the lives of others, and his vision for a better tomorrow benefited all Californians.

Then, upon his retirement from SER, George again changed his stars – this time he rekindled his dreams

of becoming an architect by designing and building his and Linda’s dream home in Fallbrook. Their Fallbrook home was central to all holiday and family gatherings. It is a beautiful home and a living testament to George’s values: commitment to education, commitment to community, commitment to service of others, and most importantly, commitment to family.

George often reminisced about what made him most proud in his life: family. Throughout George’s life

journey, he always had Linda (and his amazing daughters) by his side, with her (their) unwavering support, admiration and love. And, to his delight, he welcomed four sons into his family: John D’Andrea, John De La Cruz, Bill Romo and Mikel Keifer. And it brought George great delight to become known simply as “Papá.” Nothing bestowed more joy and pride upon George than being with his grandchildren. He and Linda were proud grandparents to 13 grandchildren: Jonathon D’Andrea, Tierra D’Andrea, Cristina Villalobos, Chris De La Cruz, Stacie Barreiro, Brad De La Cruz, Blake De La Cruz, William Romo, Rose Marie Romo, George Romo, Max Keifer, Jack Keifer, and Shawn Keifer; and their 6 great-grandchildren: Paxton Barreiro, Finnley Barreiro, Auri De La Cruz, Ozzy De La Cruz, Adelina Villalobos and Alaїa Villalobos.

As we leave you now, in honor of George- son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grand & great-grandfather, and CEO, please raise your glasses: ¡Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa' dentro! ¡Vaya con Dios!