The Celebration of Life for Mr. James M. Lopez, 79, of Orange, will be Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 3pm at Starlight Church of God In Christ under the direction of Sparrow Funeral Home. Interment will be held at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, TX. Visitation will be from 1 until 3 pm.
James Morlin Lopez was born on November 9, 1944, in Lafayette, Louisiana to Margaret Wilson Lopez and Joseph Lopez. He was raised in New Iberia, Louisiana and graduated from Jonas Henderson High School in 1962. James was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 and was assigned to Charlie Company 1/504TH Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Field Wireman and served in the Vietnam War. His military service awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He completed his military service contract and was Honorably Discharged in 1968.
After the military, James found employment in Orange, Texas working at Crown Zellerbach, Firestone Polymers, and eventually Owens-Illinois/Inland Orange Paper Mill where he would work until retirement. He also worked as a longshoreman on numerous occasions.
“Lopez” (as he was often referred to by his abundance of friends and colleagues) was an avid New Orleans Saints football fan and could always be found wearing something to show his Saints loyalty and support.
He passed January 25, 2025, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, TX.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Wilson Lopez and Joseph Lopez; sisters Dorothy Vital and Annie Mae Francis; and brothers Joseph Lopez, Jr. and Edward Lopez.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Bedelia Lopez; children Delanie Lopez of Orange, TX and Christopher J. Lopez of Honolulu, HI; stepchildren Tabatha Hubert (Elvis Jr) and Willie Netherly, Jr of Orange, TX; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Robert Lopez (Catherine) of New Iberia, LA; 2 sisters, Viola Lopez and Lillie Faye Francis (Wilson) of New Iberia, LA; 1 uncle, Roland Lopez of New
Iberia, LA; great-aunt and great-uncle Alice and Henderson Palmer of Beaumont, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.
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