Lorenzo Rey Verdugo Morales, lovingly known as “Zo” to his family and friends, passed away unexpectedly on September 12, 2026, in Marina del Rey, California, just two weeks before his 34th birthday. Lorenzo was born on September 26, 1992, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Luis Rey Miranda Morales and Martha Verdugo Morales. His unexpected passing at only 33 years

old leaves an immeasurable absence in the lives of the family, friends, and countless people whose lives he touched.

Lorenzo grew up in Las Cruces, surrounded by a large and close family. He graduated from Mayfield High School and, in 2011, joined the United States Marine Corps. During his time as a Marine, Lorenzo attained the rank of Private First Class (E-2) and completed the Basic Electronics Course and Infantry Rifleman Course. The discipline, determination, loyalty, and drive that characterized his military service would remain evident throughout his life.

Lorenzo was always working toward something greater. He had a passion for fitness and bodybuilding and became a bodybuilder and a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, working at Equinox Marina del Rey in California. Training was more than physical fitness to Lorenzo. He genuinely enjoyed motivating people, helping them recognize what they were capable of, and encouraging them to become stronger, upleveled versions of themselves. At the time of his passing, Lorenzo was also pursuing another dream: learning to fly at Sling Pilot Academy in Torrance, California, with the goal of becoming a commercial pilot. He approached that goal with the same determination he brought to so many other areas of his life.

Among Lorenzo’s most meaningful accomplishments, however, were his eight years of sobriety and the way he used his own experience to help others. Lorenzo previously worked as a manager at The Last House, a sober living home, where he dedicated himself to assisting people struggling with addiction. He understood the road to recovery personally and chose to use what he had learned to help others walk that road themselves. Through his honesty, straightforwardness, motivation, and support, Lorenzo helped people rebuild their lives and, in doing so, helped save lives. His impact continues in every person who is here today because Lorenzo was there when they needed someone.

For all of Lorenzo’s ambition and accomplishments, those who loved him knew that family remained at the center of his life. Distance never prevented him from maintaining close relationships with his parents and siblings. He made time to visit, kept in touch, and was the person who could be called at virtually any hour when someone needed to talk. He was especially close to his mother and proudly remained a mama’s boy and “The Favorite” throughout his life.

Being “Tio Zo” was another role Lorenzo treasured. He made time for his nieces and nephews and was always ready to laugh, play games, or join a FaceTime RISK match. RISK became a family tradition shared across the miles with his brother, brother-in-law Diego, and nephews. He also loved gaming online with his nephews, brother, father, and best friends. Those ordinary hours spent talking, competing, laughing, and simply being together became some of the memories his family will treasure most.

Lorenzo loved riding his motorcycles, bodybuilding, training and working out, traveling, watching and betting on MMA—including proudly watching his older brother “Izzy” compete—and watching television shows that he could later discuss at length with his sister. He loved his dog, Professor Montgomery, and treasured his life in California with his longtime girlfriend, Sydney Donovan. Lorenzo and Sydney shared four years together, and he cherished the time he spent with her and her family.

Lorenzo was not only handsome; he was independent, dependable, happy, inspirational, giving, funny, honest, and unapologetically straightforward. He could motivate someone when they needed encouragement, tell them the truth when they needed to hear it, and make them laugh along the way. Those closest to him will undoubtedly hear his voice for years to come in countless memories—and perhaps especially whenever someone remembers one of his favorite expressions: “Oh shaaart…”

Lorenzo is survived by his loving parents, Luis Rey Miranda Morales and Martha Verdugo Morales; his longtime girlfriend, Sydney Donovan; his four sisters, Lavina Dickinson and her husband, Chad Dickinson, Claudia J.V. Morales, Delfina Melissa Robles and her husband, Armand Diego Robles, and Angel Morales-Condry and her husband, Thomas Condry; and his two brothers, Luis Rey V Morales Jr. and Ismael Rey V Morales. He is also survived by his beloved nieces, Amelia, Hazel, Jessica, Rya, Clementine, Angalis, and Nicholette; his nephews, Noah, Judah, Virgil, and Nyjil; Zo’s dog, Professor Montgomery; and many extended family members, friends, colleagues, clients, members of the recovery community whose lives were made better by knowing him, and fellow Marines. Lorenzo was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lorenzo C Verdugo, Longina G Verdugo, Jose R Morales, and Josefina M Morales.

A family viewing for Lorenzo will be held Monday, October 12, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, New Mexico. A public viewing will follow from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m., with the Rosary beginning at 11:30 a.m. The funeral service will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., followed by Last Rites from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., all at Getz Funeral Home. Lorenzo will be cremated in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Lorenzo lived only 33 years, but the measure of his life cannot be found simply in its length. It can be found in the people he encouraged to keep going, the people he helped through recovery, the clients he pushed to believe in themselves, the family members who knew they could call him, the nieces and nephews who knew Tio Zo would make time for them, and the many people fortunate enough to call him a son, brother, uncle, partner, Marine, trainer, mentor, and friend. He spent his life becoming stronger while helping other people become stronger alongside him.

Lorenzo, you are deeply loved, and you will be deeply missed.