Of Carpinteria, California passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, February 21, 2013. Lee was born in Los Angeles, California, a third generation Californian. A son, Mark Edward Lopez, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Beverly of Carpinteria, daughter, Laura Lopez of Carpinteria, and daughter, Kristin Parker of Riverside, CA., brother John Eugene Lopez of Belleville, Illinois. Lee was blessed to have seven grandchildren Jennifer Wienke, Kathryn Parker, Kimberly Rock, Rebecca Biscaro, Samuel Biscaro, Joseph Lopez and Ashlee Lopez and five great grandchildren.
He was a soldier, sailor, salesman and elder. He served in the Merchant Marines on an ammunition ship in the Pacific, and then was drafted into the Army and served for two years during the Korean War.
After he returned home to Oakland, California, he began a long sales career with John Hancock Insurance, and Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation. Lee met and married Beverly in San Bernardino, California and soon moved his family to Carpinteria, where he has been since 1971. The family belonged to the Summerland Presbyterian Church were Lee served as an Elder. He was active in the Santa Barbara Heart Association Board of Directors. He also held a Chairman position on the Board of Friends of Channel Coast State Parks. Lee loved to paint and was a member of the Step One Gallery where he volunteered at the new 855 Gallery. Lee also volunteered at the Carpinteria Library’s used bookstore. Once retired, he kept himself busy with two of his favorite jobs; an assistant art teacher for Girls, Inc. and packaged candy sales at Robitalles in Carpinteria.
Lee had a special knack for soothing crying/fussy babies. He loved dogs, especially his lab, Tucker. His personal mantra was “pretty is as pretty does”, followed by “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Lee had a sense of misadventure, he liked to see how low the gas would go in the car and ran out on more than one occasion. When accompanying his kids Trick or Treating, he liked to partake in innocent pranks-like moving “For Sale” signs. He had a soft spot for the underdog-absolutely would not let us laugh at his first granddaughter, Jen when she fell asleep in her highchair while eating a taco. It was a very funny sight, but not to him. He loved flowers, going to the Farmer’s Market, small town living, and knowing peoples names. Lee loved to sing, “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” to Beverly. He placed a high moral value on honesty and telling the truth. Graveside services will be held at the Carpinteria District Cemetery On March 9, 2013 at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Friends of Channel Coast State Parks 1072 Casitas Pass Road, PMB #185, Carpinteria, CA 93014 http-//www.friendsofccsp.com/.
