Gerardo "Jerry" Lopez-Martinez

Gerardo Lopez-Martinez, fondly known as Jerry, son of Domingo Lopez and Maria Lopez-Martinez and one of nine children, was born in Michoacán, Mexico on February 9, 1984, raised in Southern California, and had been a Las Vegas resident since 2006.

Jerry and Karen met in 2009 at a church event. They started dating a year later, fell in love very quickly, and were married six months later. In 2012, their miracle baby, Anthony was born. In 2017, after realizing they could not have any more biological children, they embarked on their foster care journey.

Jerry and Karen fostered a total of 12 children in five years. Six of their foster children were able to reunify with their biological families and six of them were adopted into the Lopez forever family.

In 2020, Jerry became an American citizen after a 13 year journey. In 2021, the adoptions of all six of their adopted children were finalized. Anthony (11), Jadon (7), Isaiah (5), Israel (5), Elizabeth (4), Hannah Grace (3), and Isaac (3) were his pride and joy. Jerry would always say the best part of his day was walking through the door to Karen and the kids. He would kiss each kid, walk over and kiss Karen, and even give Gigi (Peggy, his mother-in-law) a kiss on the forehead. Every Saturday morning was pancake day where Jerry would cook for the whole family.

Jerry was actively involved in his church, his community, and advocating for foster care. He loved to workout and work on his car, teaching his kids things along the way. He and Anthony loved to play video games once all the babies were in bed. He was a family man who was deeply in love with his wife. Jerry pursued Karen from the day they met until his last day on earth.

Just last month, he received a promotion at work to Customer Advocate with his own driving route. Jerry never met a stranger. His friends and family want him to be remembered as someone who was passionate about his relationship with Jesus and his family. We are all taking comfort in knowing he is in heaven with his Savior. James 1:19-20 reads, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteous that God desires.” Jerry was a living testimony to those verses. We miss you already, Jerry. We will see you in heaven. Te amo mucho. Until we meet again.

A memorial service for Gerardo will be held Friday, January 12, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Life Baptist Church, 6316 S Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, NV 89113.