Orel Carrejo Lopez

Orel C. Lopez, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, peacefully passed away at his home in Alamogordo on Thursday, April 29, 2010, after a brief battle with cancer.
Orel was born in San Antonio, Texas, the son of the late Domingo and Elvira Lopez. He was the second youngest of four siblings: David, Daniel and Mary Louise Lopez. On March 31, 1946, he married his wife of 64 years, Emma Garza Lopez.
Orel graduated from Tech High School in San Antonio. He worked as a radio mechanic before going into the U.S. Army, where he served as a radar operator/mechanic from July 1943 to February 1946. He spent time stationed in New Orleans, Florida, Illinois and Virginia, and three months aboard the SS Montclair. During this time, he received a World War II Victory award and a Good Conduct Medal.
After an honorable discharge in 1946, Orel received his civil service commission at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. He continued his career training and employment as an aircraft armament inspector, missile quality control representative, procurement officer and quality control inspector. Orel and his family moved to New Mexico in 1956, where he took a civil service position at Holloman Air Force Base. Orel retired in 1982 and continued to reside with his wife and family in Alamogordo for the remainder of his life.
Orel is servived by his wife, Emma, and six children: Robert Lopez, of Flagstaff, Ariz., Delia Lopez, of Wenatchee, Wash., Stephen Lopez, of Santa Fe, Jayne Bloss, of Alamogordo, Marilyn Moffatt, of Las Cruces, and Paul Lopez, of Apple Valley, Calif. Surviving grandchildren are Lisa, Dina, Suzanne, Tiffany, Aaron, Stephanie, Angela, Jennifer, Jessica, John, Daniel, Kindra, Vanessa, Veronica, Jared, Ethan and Analise. Surviving great-grandchildren are Bree, Cheryl, Parker, Keaton, Briley, Danielle, Camden, Cassidy, Kyleene, Sydney, Damian, Abygale and Makinsy.
The Lopez family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home to direct the arrangements. A private family viewing has been conducted.
Condolences may be sent to 1715 Buena Vista Ct., Alamogordo, NM 88310.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.hamiltonodell.com.