Ascencion Lopez
May 10, 1934 — November 2, 2021
Ascencion (Chonito) Lopez passed peacefully into Heaven on November 2, 2021. He was born to Pedro and Teresa (Bustillos) Lopez in Akela, New Mexico. He had a long and active life. He served honorably in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was a Petty Officer, Radioman 3. He was one of two men responsible for sending morse code to fellow servicepeople during combat. It w...
Ascencion (Chonito) Lopez passed peacefully into Heaven on November 2, 2021. He was born to Pedro and Teresa (Bustillos) Lopez in Akela, New Mexico. He had a long and active life. He served honorably in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was a Petty Officer, Radioman 3. He was one of two men responsible for sending morse code to fellow servicepeople during combat. It was a role that gave him great pride. On Thanksgiving Day in 1963, he married his favorite dance partner, Alicia Chaparro. They were married for 58 years, and happily raised three children. Chonito, as his close ones called him, received his High School Diploma in the Navy. He then returned home determined to earn a college degree. He obtained his bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University. After he was married, he returned to college and earned a master's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. He had a consistent love of learning, and teaching. He began his career as a teacher in El Monte, California. He returned home and taught at Mayfield High School and Lynn Junior High. His love of teaching continued to grow. For fourteen years, he taught Conversational Spanish to Adults. Many of those years, he worked with his wife, Alicia. They were known as, "Lopez y Lopez" Conversational Spanish. His career later expanded to working for the State of New Mexico. He retired in 1996 from a job he loved as Director of the Department of Labor of Southern New Mexico. He enjoyed his...
Ascencion (Chonito) Lopez passed peacefully into Heaven on November 2, 2021. He was born to Pedro and Teresa (Bustillos) Lopez in Akela, New Mexico. He had a long and active life. He served honorably in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was a Petty Officer, Radioman 3. He was one of two men responsible for sending morse code to fellow servicepeople during combat. It was a role that gave him great pride. On Thanksgiving Day in 1963, he married his favorite dance partner, Alicia Chaparro. They were married for 58 years, and happily raised three children. Chonito, as his close ones called him, received his High School Diploma in the Navy. He then returned home determined to earn a college degree. He obtained his bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University. After he was married, he returned to college and earned a master's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. He had a consistent love of learning, and teaching. He began his career as a teacher in El Monte, California. He returned home and taught at Mayfield High School and Lynn Junior High. His love of teaching continued to grow. For fourteen years, he taught Conversational Spanish to Adults. Many of those years, he worked with his wife, Alicia. They were known as, "Lopez y Lopez" Conversational Spanish. His career later expanded to working for the State of New Mexico. He retired in 1996 from a job he loved as Director of the Department of Labor of Southern New Mexico. He enjoyed his retired years growing roses in the yard and keeping it precisely manicured. He above all loved being a father and grandfather. His dedication throughout his adult life was focused on his family. He will be so greatly missed by his wife, Alicia; their eldest son, Armando and his son, Brandon; his son, Xavier, wife Ida and their kids, Joshua and Lucas; his daughter, Lisa, husband Matthew, and their kids, Isabella and Andrew. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved brothers, Joseph and Margarito. Left to cherish his memory are his sisters Mary Trujillo, Yolanda Luna, and brothers, Alfonso (Poncho), and Mike Lopez, and their families. Services will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Thursday, November 11, 2021 beginning with a Rosary at 10:00 am followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30 with Military honors. Service Information
Thursday, November 11, 2021 10:00am,
Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
1240 S. Espina
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001
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