My sincerest condolences Lopez Family. The death of a loved one is extremely painful. It’s unfair and takes away the people we love the most. Please know that during such a difficult time, you are not alone. Our father and God Jehovah is with you and your family. Psalm 34:18 says “[He] is close to the broken-hearted.” Know that he yearns to bring them back to life (Job 14:15). And soon he will bring a resurrection, John 5:28,29 says “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” May this promise give you hope and endurance to face the future with confidence.
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I’ll never forget the lesson, Mr. Lopez, taught me my freshman year in high school. RESPECT!
He was outside the gym taking roll for his PE class. I was running late to my class, and as I ran by Mr. Lopez, I flipped his hat off his head and kept going. He look at me and kept taking roll. He never skipped a beat. Later that day I was on my way to lunch, and Mr. Lopez asked me if I could give him a hand in the gym. I walked in the gym and he close the door behind us and we squared off on the wrestling mat.
Before I knew what happened, he swept my feet out from under me, and had me pinned down. Whatever wrestling hold head me in, I could not breathe in from my nose or mouth. He waited for about 30 seconds, until I started tearing up, and then released me.
He let me up, looked me square in the eyes, and said, don’t ever disrespect me again!
I shook his hand, I apologized, and we never spoke about it again!
We became great friends long after I graduated high school. He always looked out for me and I did thank him my senior year for the life long lesson. We had a good laugh, and he gave me a huge hug, which I will never forget.
Thank you again Mr Lopez
I love you and respected you.. rest in peace my friend
Alex Ponce
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I remember playing football against Mr. Lopez when we were in 8th grade at LMHS. He absolutely did not take it easy on us!😂 Helped us become men! RIP to one of the greats. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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Tuti was a great friend. Meller Jr High. 1968-70. Mike Larson
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Amy and Darren, I am so sorry for your loss. My mom was his dad's sister. Her name was Eva. She lived with my uncle Johnny for many years, until she married. She watched Art grow up and was very proud of all he accomplished. When he was going to ask your mother to marry him he went to my mom to talk about marriage. He was nervous and wanted her opinion about what she thought about marriage. I remember my mom feeling very happy that he came to her with his fears and seeking her advice. My memory of him was his smile. I have put some pictures together for you that I would like to give to you at the funeral. My love and prayers to you both and your family. ♥️🙏
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Jeff Green
1973, El Toro High School, Toledo Way, Lake Forest, CA, USA
Coach Lopez (Art) taught me, or those of us that had him as a coach, that, as a coach, you didn’t need to be aloof from your athletes. That being a successful and impactful coach is showing sincere interest in your players. Coach was only at ETHS for one year before he took the Excelsior HS job. Before the end of the school year at ETHS he made it a point to speak with many of us that he coached. He thanked us all for our efforts and dedication. He also made sure that we had an open invitation to attend his games/matches at Excelsior whenever we could. This was very impressive and memorable and something I tried to carry into my years of coaching, teaching and administration until I retired in 2017.
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I grew up on Chicago street in Bellflower a few years younger than Art, spending a lot of time with his younger brother Tony. He didn’t know it, but I aspired to be a dedicated athlete like Art López. He inspired me. I went on to coach college baseball for 29 years.
RIP ART
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Jeff Green
1973, El Toro High School, Toledo Way, Lake Forest, CA, USA
I was Coach Lopez’s teacher-aid (World History) at ETHS. At that time we were on double session with MVHS and occasionally we’d have a “Nooner” (aka. Happy Hour) before starting school @1:00 pm. The word got out to school admin that students had been drinking before school and they notified classroom teachers to send/report students who might have been “partying”. Coach asked if I’d been at the nooner and I (inferred) I was. He wrote me a hall pass and sent me to the locker room to hang out until the end of the period because administrators were going to be visiting classrooms during 1st period. All during our conversation/interrogation he had that iconic grin we all came to know. Art Lopez was a one-of-a-kind Coach and man and will never be forgotten in my memories. Condolences to his family. RIP COACH!!!
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I Played Baseball with Art from Little League through high school. No-one played harder and gave more of themselves than Artie. Pound for pound the toughest athlete I've ever known.
If you've ever been on the receiving end of one of his head butts you would never forget Artie.
You will truly be missed my friend.
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Our deepest condolences on your Dad's passing. May the Lord comfort you and give you peace. Love Uncle Casper and Theresa.
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I’m sorry for the loss of a great man. The Cerritos College Birds baseball family sends their love as well.
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Art Lopez was my football coach at El Toro High School in 1974 and even though he only coached at El Toro for one year he made a huge impact on myself and many of my teammates. He was so enthusiastic especially when we were practicing on defense. He just loved football and I remember once there was a pulling play when one of the guards Tony Lundy who was about 230 lbs and really strong pulled down the line and Coach Lopez jumped in on the defensive line and as Tony was attempting to block Coach Lopez, he was hit with a forearm from Coach which bent his face mask.
I had Coach Lopez for Driver’s training and he had us drive through El Toro High School while it was being constructed and all the construction workers were yelling at us saying “ Hey, you shouldn’t be here “ and Coach Lopez was yelling right back at them. He was such a tough guy.
Several years ago a few us met coach at a pizza place and Coach seemed so happy to see us, it was a really good get together.
I was really saddened to hear of his passing. He was truly a very special person and Coach. RIP Coach.
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