LOPEZ, Manuel R. (Manny)

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, AZ Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Manuel R. Lopez, age 88, passed away peacefully on Oct. 29, 2010 surrounded by his family. Manuel was born in Miami on June 18, 1922 to Maria Rojas and Jose Ruiz Lopez. Manuel graduated from Miami High School in 1941. He joined the U.S. Navy and became a Naval Air Corps gunner during World War II and fought in the South Pacific. He returned to Miami and met his future wife, Rosita Flores, who has preceded him in death. Manuel joined the Phoenix Fire Department and worked his way up to Captain. After 31 years of service in Phoenix, he retired and moved to Lakeside, Ariz. where he and Rosita lived another 27 years. He is survived by his family, Ronald (Nancy), Addie (Richard) Chappelle, Thomas (Coleen), Charles (Carol); eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; as well as a large extended family on the Lopez and Flores side of his family in Miami, Globe, and the Phoenix area. Services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Miami, Ariz. A military funeral will be held at Pinal Cemetery in Central Heights in Globe, Ariz. A reception will follow after the services at the K.C. Hall in Miami. ~~~~~~~~~~~ The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ November 19, 2010 Manuel R. Lopez, 88, of Lakeside died Oct. 29, 2010, in Mesa. He was born June 17, 1922 in Miami. He was a gifted athlete, competing in track and field. He was also a guard for the Miami High basketball team which took a state championship. After graduating from high school, Manny enlisted in the Navy. He served his country during World War II as a Naval Aerial Gunner, flying numerous missions, in a Navy dive bomber. He was stationed on the USS Yorktown, in the South Pacific. Manny joined the Phoenix Fire Department and worked for the department for 30 years, where he attained the rank of Captain. Upon retiring, he moved to Lakeside where he enjoyed the next 27 years. Manny has been reunited with his wife, Rosita, who preceded him in death May 18, 2009. He is survived by his children Ronald (Nancy), Adeline (Richard), Thomas (Colleen), and Charles (Carol), along with nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Services were held Nov. 13, in Miami.