Miguel A. "Mike" Lopez

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - "Mike" A. Miguel Lopez passed away on Friday, the 12th of September 2025, after a long battle against heart and kidney failure. He endured three dialysis treatments weekly for over a decade with humility, kind words, a smiling face, and a patient heart. It was no secret to those who knew him that the source of his positive attitude was his love for God and his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, Deyanira and Laura Lopez, and his grandchildren.

Mike was born in Brownsville, Texas on May 10, 1944. He was the son of the late Felipe Lopez, Sr. and Tomasita Lopez, the namesake of Lopez High School. After graduating from Saint Joseph Academy in 1963, Mike moved to San Antonio, Texas to attend St. Mary's University. While Mike was in high school and during his visits home, he worked for his father in the family business, Lopez Supermarkets. At Lopez Supermarket, Mike met the love of his life and wife of over 59 years, Mary Lou Briones Lopez. Mike and Mary were married on August 17, 1966, and started their family in Brownsville, Texas. They had two sons, Jaime Miguel Lopez and Eduardo "Teddy" Antonio Lopez.

Mike and Mary spent their entire adult lives working as managers and then owners within the family business. Anyone who shopped or worked at M. A. or M&M Lopez remembers Mike and Mary's kindness, generosity, and laughter. While many Lopez shoppers and employees knew Mike well, those who knew him outside of his work environment knew him best.

His service to the Brownsville community is well documented. Mike served on various boards, including Board President at Brownsville Community Health Clinic, and he also served as Martin Elementary PTA President, Vice President of West Brownsville Little League, President of Brownsville Senior League Baseball, Saint Joseph Academy Booster Club President, and on the Board of the Mr. Amigo Association. Mike also spent many years ensuring that all the proceeds from Lopez Supermarket's Golf Tournament went directly to United Way.

When Mike was not serving his community, he served his family. If a child or grandchild was participating in a sporting event or school performance, Mike was there and usually with his video camera. His videotaping of his children's football games was legendary, and it was commonplace that the entire St. Joe Varsity football team was at Mike and Mary's home on a Saturday morning watching video of the previous night's game. Mike's patience and generosity were also legendary. While this benefited his family and community, it did not benefit the one year he coached St. Joseph Academy's JV Girls Basketball team. Mike could not say no to those girls and often took them to M. A. Lopez Supermarket for a healthy sugar-infused candy snack before the game. Mike's inability to say no also extended to his grandchildren. It was common for Mike to get home after a long day at work and spend an hour with a grandchild playing in a dollhouse in his backyard. His grandchildren, Kristen Michelle Lopez, Megan Lynn Lopez, Michael James Lopez, and Mireya Alisa Lopez, and his great-grandchild, Caeli Feierabend (Lopez), will miss him dearly. They could not have asked for a better grandfather.

Mike also appreciated good times and interesting conversations, which led to many lifelong friends. His hobbies included golf and traveling, and he has many cherished memories playing golf on Tuesday afternoons with his brother Arturo Lopez, his uncle Meme Lopez, and his cousin, George Lopez.

The family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and well-wishes from those he has touched. With grateful hearts, the family wishes to express their gratitude to everyone who has helped in saying goodbye to the best friend, husband, father, and grandfather anyone can hope for. He made this world a better place, and it is up to us to fill the void now that he is gone.

Visiting hours were held on Monday, the 15th of September 2025 between the hours of four o'clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville, with the recitation of the holy rosary recited at seven o'clock Monday evening within the church.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated at ten o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 16th of September 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment then followed, via an escorted procession, at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4464 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville.

Michael Lopez, Anthony Alvarez, James Drash, Anacleto Gutierrez, Adan Salinas, Ronnie Humphreys, Alfredo Valle, and Viro Cardenas were honored to serve as his pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers were Ray Ramon +, Joe Sevier +, Coach Joe Pena +, Joe Rivera +, Jay Alvarez, Dan Ortiz, Peter Hossenlopp, and George Lopez.

Memories of Mike may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey, CFSP and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.