Gregory Gerard Lopez

Gregory Gerard Lopez passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California, on September 18th, 2024. Recently diagnosed with lung cancer, he was undergoing chemotherapy and suffered from a reaction during treatment.

Greg was born in San Francisco on March 31st, 1959, to parents George and Mary Lopez. He grew up in San Francisco, South San Francisco, and spent most of his younger adult years in the Bay Area.

Although he suffered from anxiety for as long as he could remember, Greg was known for his ability to pursue his many interests and accomplish much in his life. He was a bonafide generalist; his early love for cars and motorcycles influenced his ability to build and repair almost anything. Greg also owned and operated a metal fabrication finishing company in Hayward, CA called Rapid Finishing. Hobby-wise, he was a skilled woodworker and gardener for most of his life. Greg recently rekindled his love of the guitar and began studying the stars with his telescope just before he passed.

In 1994, he moved to Redding to work at his sister Dianna and brother-in-law Doug's fire/water restoration business. As usual, Greg immersed himself in that work and became certified in many aspects of restoration. Staying true to his generalist nature, he would go on to cultivate an interest in real estate and eventually became a licensed agent in his late fifties, proving that you can learn anything at any age.

Although anxiety played a role in his lifelong struggle with alcohol addiction, he was able to overcome several relapses. He spent the last part of his life pursuing what was perhaps his most meaningful career path: counseling others struggling with drugs and alcohol. In Redding, he helped manage transitional housing programs for About Time Recovery. He was a counselor at Empire Recovery Center, and his last position was as a Case Manager with the Butte County Office of Education at their Redding counseling center.

Greg used humor and life experiences to guide others through their recovery journeys. He went on to refine his knowledge by earning his Certificate of Achievement in Alcohol and Drug/Human Services from College of the Siskiyous just before he passed away.

On several occasions, people would walk up to Greg, shake his hand, and thank him for his guidance on their recovery journey. We aren't sure how many people he helped, but his impact reverberates in them and beyond. His co-workers shared how much he meant to them and how he inspired others in recovery to become counselors. Greg did not let addiction define the end of his life. Instead, he ensured that addiction would not define the lives of others, and for that, we could not be more proud.

Greg was preceded in death by his father, George Lopez I, and his brother, George Lopez II. He leaves behind his mother, Mary Lopez, siblings Dianna Stephens and Laura Burgdorf, sister-in-law Avelina Lopez, and brothers-in-law Doug Stephens and Mark Burgdorf. He also leaves behind nephews and nieces: Esau Mejia, Diana Morris, Jenna Littlejohn, Sandra Lopez, George Lopez III, and Nicholas Burgdorf.

We will greatly miss his sense of humor; there was nothing quite as thrilling as locking eyes with Greg when something funny happened, as his eyebrows would go up, and you'd both succumb to laughter. The sound of a football game in the background will always remind us of him.

Greg, I hope you had the time of your life. We will miss you so much, but we'll find peace knowing you are free from the worry of being Comfortably Numb. Let Comfort be the guide you have been looking for - for so long.

As a last gesture of goodwill, we donated his beautiful blue eyes to those needing medical intervention. We hope this can be another lasting and meaningful way for him to bring happiness to those in need.

There was a private ceremony for Greg's interment at St Jospeh's Cemetery in Redding, CA on 10-25-24