John Y. Lopez

John Y. Lopez, 89, Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, July 15, 2014, in Eventide on Eighth, Moorhead.

John was born on May 10, 1925, in Pittsburgh, Oklahoma. In 1928 the Lopez family moved to the Moorhead area. John was a WWII veteran, serving in the United States Army with the 25th Infantry Division. After the war he returned to Moorhead and married Phyllis Olson on April 22, 1949. John worked for Bob Peterson Truck Farm until Bob passed away in 1975. He took over the farm and ran it until he and Phyllis retired in 1996.

John was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a Past Commander of Albert E Johnson Post 1223. He was also a life member and past Seam Squirrel of Pup Tent 34, Military Order of the Cootie and a member of American Legion Post 21.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed his trips to Montana and the many friends he made there, especially the Stahl family. He enjoyed meeting at the Legion and the VFW with several retired farmers and school teachers, often arguing over who was the oldest in the bunch.

John is survived by his children, Nancy Gordon, of Hammond LA, JoAnn Lopez, of West Fargo, Lynda (Randy) Van Otterloo, of West Fargo, and John J. Lopez of Moorhead; a sister, Natalie Johnson, of Moorhead; seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis; brothers, Aurelio, Emanuel, Rueben, and Steven; a sister, Margaret Coronado; one grandchild and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation for John will be Monday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Moorhead. The funeral mass will be Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at 11 AM in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Moorhead.

(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead)