This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Antelmo Lopez, 89, born on July 12, 1926 and passed away on December 31, 2015. Antelmo Santini was his birth name, but he was raised and adopted by his maternal uncle, Santos Lopez, and his wife, Socorro. Dad, Tata and Nana lived in Guadalupe, a small town outside of Juarez, but eventually crossed the border into the USA. Their next stop was White Sands, New Mexico, where Tata worked on the railroad. They moved on to Monrovia, CA and ended up in East Los Angeles, buying some property at 517 S. Soto Street. Dad went to Roosevelt High School where he ran on the track team. In high school, he met the sweet Matilde Rodriguez, who attended Jefferson High School. Dad was drafted into the US Army and entered right after his high school graduation. He served two years assigned to the Phillipines at the end of WW II. Upon his return, Mom and Dad married at St Joseph Church in Los Angeles on April 19, 1947. Soon, Mom became pregnant with David, and over the next 16 years, she gave birth to Sue, Danny, Jim, Victor, Albert, Terri and Tony. With sheer grit and determination, Dad established his upholstery shop in South Gate, Garfield Upholstery, and was an incredibly successful businessman. In addition, Dad was very active in coaching sports at South Gate Park for all of his sons. During his lifetime, Dad had been blessed with 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Most importantly, Dad had the most wonderful loving, supportive and patient wife, as Mom was his "rock." Dad was the embodiment of the American Dream, and we are all so blessed to be the beneficiaries of his incredible life journey.
Tributes
Leave a tributeLove ❤️,
Son #3... Jaime
I only remember the fun times we had when you all used to visit us in
El Paso. Your dad was always the life of the party.
God Bless his soul and God Bless your family.
Respectfully,
Fernie Orona and Family
There were times when you seemed bigger than life. Then there were times when we just didn’t understand you. But the one constant, your love was always there. You told me many times, your birthday was June 26th, but we always celebrated it on July 12th. On this July 12th your 90th birthday, we know you are in God’s hands. Rest in peace. We all love you.
Love,
David
love from son #4.
Leave a Tribute
Love ❤️,
Son #3... Jaime
Honor Thy Father
Dad, on this 3rd commemoration of your death, I offer the prayers from the Old Testament, the Book of Sirach 3:2-6, as a continuing loving tribute in gratitude for your love, devotion and support to me, Mom, and all of my siblings
“For the Lord sets forth a father in honor over his children,
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons and daughters,
He who honors his father atones for his sins;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
He who honors his father is gladdened by children,
and when he prays, he is heard.
He who reveres his father wil live a long life;
he obeys the Lord who brings comfort to his mother.”
May God have mercy on you, forgive you of your sins, and bring you to life everlasting. May you rest in the Peace of Christ. I love you, your son, Danny
Grandpa the Fighter
I just uploaded a picture of Grandpa as a young man in his classic boxing stance. This photo can serve as inspiration for many of us to appreciate the grit Grandpa had to fight for everything he had and become a succesful self-made man. Life is full of obstacles and it takes Grandpa like grit to stay driven and keep fighting.