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Obituary for Manuel V. Lopez
Manuel V. Lopez May 25, 1943 - Feb. 19, 2010 Manuel V. Lopez died of natural causes at his home in Brookings, OR on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010. He was 66. Manuel was born May 25, 1943 in Abilene, TX to Manuel and Lena (Dahm) Lopez. He was raised on the Southern Oregon and Northern California coasts. His first job was on a commercial fishing boat in Bodega Bay when he was 14. At the age of 18, Manuel was captain of his own fishing boat and fished commercially for 30 years. Manuel was also an accomplished artist, sculpting in wood, stone and bronze. He enjoyed walking the beaches and bringing home driftwood, which he would then sculpt into his well-known artwork . He had a unique ability to see a finished sculpture in driftwood lying on the beach, and loved sharing this vision with everyone. In recent years, Manuel had taken on the task of restoring the Betty, a 47-foot sailing vessel, designed by Albert Strange and built in Sussex, England in 1909. Survivors include his wife of nearly 30 years, Judy May Lopez of Brookings, daughters, Mandi Lopez, Lisa Simmons and Denise Peterson, son, Tye Lopez, brothers David Lopez and Tomas Lopez; sisters, Margo Hanscam, Dianne McVickers, Linda Hubbard, Loretta Carrillo and Cathleen Roman and numerous grandchildren. There will be an "IN HIS WAKE” gathering, held at the Seascape Regional Center, 98158 West Benham Lane, February 27, 2010 at 11:00am. A potluck reception will follow there and everyone is invited to bring their favorite dish.
