Lopez, Claudio J.

Claudio Joseph Lopez, 74, of Seattle and previously of Clovis, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2005, at Highline Hospital in Seattle of pneumonia.

He was born June 4, 1921. He worked for Santa Fe Railroad and the Clovis Post Office. He was a Scottish Rite Mason and a veteran of World War II, serving as a licensed boiler maker. He was also licensed in refrigeration and a certified blacksmith.

He attended the Salvation Army and conducted the adult Bible study for many years.

He had a hand in opening the Spanish-American club and opened a store on Beta Street, which served as a gathering place for Hispanic youth, family members said.

Family members said he was generous.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Tony; and a sister, Juanita.

Survivors include a sister, Genevieve Abel; three brothers, Armando (and wife, Delfina), Julian and Delfino (Vivian); a daughter, Joanna Lopez of Maple Valley, Wash.; two sons, Carl Lopez (Esperanza) of Everett, Wash., and Johnny Lopez (Myra) of Dallas; eight grandchildren, Cindy, Steven, Sarah, Elizabeth, Carla, Bea, Debbie and Casey Jo; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.