John J. Lopez

John J. Lopez, 84, of Livingston, Montana died at Livingston HealthCare Wednesday afternoon, June 18, 2014. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 23 at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home (118 N 3rd St.) with Rev. Harlan Durgan of Living Hope Church officiating. Graveside committal service with military honors and burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. If so desired memorials may be directed to Livingston Food Pantry, 112 No. M Street; or to Stafford Animal Shelter, 3 Boulder Business Park Rd.; both in Livingston, MT 59047. John was born April 13, 1930 in Livingston, the son of Sam and Rose (Seiveno) Lopez. He spent his early life and attended schools in Livingston before entering the U. S. Navy in 1951. On August 19, 1950 he married Jacquelyn B. "Jackie" Hampson in Livingston. After serving his country for four years during the Korean War, John was honorably discharged in1955 and returned to Livingston. For a short time he worked at First National Park Bank before going to work at the United States Post Office in Livingston. In 1989 he retired from the Post Office as a supervisor. Upon retirement, and for 10 years, John enjoyed being a "hobby" farmer at his home near Grannis, north of Livingston. In 1996 he moved back into Livingston where he has made his home since. John received pleasure from craft work, building bird houses and sharing them with his family and friends, and enjoyed fishing and gardening, especially raising geraniums. He was a member of Park Post #23, American Legion. But of all of the things he did, his family was most important to him, especially his grandkids. Survivors include his wife, Jackie Lopez of Livingston; son, Mark Lopez of Missoula; daughter, Leslie (Bob) Lemon of Belgrade; sisters, Jenny (Robert) Weber and Betty Ratliff, both of Livingston; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Sam Lopez; granddaughter, Katlyn Lemon; and siblings, Florence, Nick, Mary, Kay, Carmie, Libby and Thelma. Arrangements are under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.