Abelardo "Al" John Lopez

Abelardo “Al” Lopez, loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, father in law, community leader, and GREAT FRIEND, passed, on Saturday, December 14, 2019. He was born on February 8, 1934 in Freeport, Texas to Miguel and Maria Lopez, fourth of ten siblings.

Al's legacy is truly a story book of an individual who lived by example & touched so many. Al gave us his smile, words of encouragement, and actions as an imprint in our treasured box of people who made a difference in our lives.

Growing up in East Los Angeles, he started at a very young age (12) with a daily newspaper delivery route, both he and his brother Ray had over 100 customers each, getting up at 4 a.m. to roll the papers and deliver them before school. Later taking on additional responsibilities, Al and Ray made their own shoe shine boxes, on weekends they took the bus to downtown Los Angeles, Pershing Square Park to shine shoes, and they of course, challenged each other of who would shine the most shoes and raise the most money to help their family. Working together it led them to their part-time jobs of their neighbors Garcia Appliance and Furniture Store. Learning all about appliance repairs, both were motivated to open their own “Lopez Appliance Repair Service” out of their home garage; they even called the local radio station to promote their business. As teens their friends motivated them to start the “East L.A. Hot Coils Car Club” with a membership of 35 members. Soon after, they convinced their sister Susie to start a girls club, the “East L.A. Coilettes Car Club.” The Clubs together promoted the “The Battle of the Bands” contest, community involvement events, teen dancing teams on the Al Jarvis show and fundraising for local needed causes.

After high school during the Korean War, Al enlisted in the Air Force, joining his brother Mario, a Marine, in the battle ground. Al's service in the Air Force earned him the rank of Sergeant 1st Class, 3 stripes. Also, he served in Communications and Air Tower service. He served 4 years in active duty and 4 years in reserve. While in the service, he was in South Korea, the Philippines, Japan and China, and Langley Air Force base. In addition, he served as an air traffic controller in San Francisco, CA. Upon returning, he started his own appliance shops, Belvedere Appliance and R & A Appliance. After several years, his older brother Sal convinced him to use his management and financial skills to help him with Sal's Mexican Restaurant, The Crows Nest Cocktail Lounge and Casa Tropical Night Club in Oxnard, CA. They did great business for many years. Al also opened his own restaurant, El Taco Loco and Art Gallery. Throughout his business career in Ventura, Al was recognized for being the Founder and President of the Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce in Oxnard, CA. Moreover, he recruited for and established an office for the Mexican Consulate for the City of Oxnard. In 1983 he was founder of the now famous “Strawberry Festival” in Oxnard, and in 1984 he was appointed by Governor George Deukmejian to the State Commission for Mexican-American Affairs. One of Al's greatest pleasures was to help farmers on the strike movement lead by Cesar Chavez, gathering donations and seeking help from radio stations for food and groceries for their families from local communities and business owners. Meeting Cesar Chavez and receiving a plaque of appreciation from the United Farm Workers was one of his best life-time memories. According to Al, “We are always at our best when we give back and help others in need.”

Al's love of repairs and entrepreneurship let him Banning, CA where he started his restaurant business Al’s Burrito Factory which is still remembered by the locals to this day. Shortly after, he opened up A1 Exhaust Cleaning. Then, with his beautiful wife of 30 years, Miriam they started A-1 Appliance Center in Banning, CA. All these businesses brought many challenges, opportunities and great blessings. It didn't take Al very much time to serve the San Gorgonio Pass community and in 1999, Al founded the San Gorgonio Pass Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and TA, in Banning. In 2001 he co-founded the Posadas Navidenas/Giving Joy on Christmas, a program that benefits Children 12 years and younger. According to Al, “No needy child should go without a toy on Christmas Day.” Toys are given to needy children, food and beverage for the entire family, provided entertainment and opportunity to take a picture with Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus.

Al is a past member of CERT (California Emergency Response Team) which focused on helping the Hispanic community in Banning in case of disasters or threats. He received Honorary Citizenship of The Philippines and many, many other awards and recognitions from City, County and State Leaders for his lifelong commitment to serve the communities where he lived. Everyone who ever met Al knows immediately, he was always a Man of Trust, Creditably, Honor and Faith in God, and someone always ready to give a good advice.

Al's greatest PASSION, LOVE and JOY were his family. His core values according to him, “ En esta vida debes tener Fe, Fuerza de Voluntad, y ser Honesto, (In this life you should have Faith, Will power, and be Honest.” In addition, Al was a man from a time where a man’s word, a promise, and shaking of a hand were more valuable than any money one can have. He said, “When you have nothing of material value, but you have your word that’s what you can count on at any time.” A promise for him was sacred, and a shake of a hand was enough to seal any deal. His family will miss him forever. He is survived by his wife Miriam his children, Michael , Ronnie& his wife Ginger, Donna Marie, Sandra & her husband Joseph Rubio, Nancy, Jose, Ricky, Abelardo Jr. & his wife Guadalupe, Veronica, Marianela & her husband Armando Flores, grandchildren, Ronnie Jr.,Virginia, Joshua, Jacob, Joshua, James, Ezra, and unborn grandchild from his daughter Marianela; great grand children, Carlos, Teresa, and Adam; brothers, Ramiro, Joe and sister Minnie, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Although no longer survived by his daughter Cynthia, he is reunited with her in the presence of the Lord. Goodbye dearest Al you will be missed, not many like you do exist, until we meet again.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.weaver-mortuary.com for the Lopez family.