Arthur Edward Lopez

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Arthur E. Lopez, age 81, of Belle Fourche, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Belle Fourche on March 24th, 1944, Arthur was the son of Vincent Lopez from Maxwell, New Mexico and Mary Cordova from Trinidad, Colorado. Vincent and Mary married on December 24th, 1926, and moved to South Dakota in 1929. Together they raised their large family in Vale, Newell, and Nisland until moving to Belle Fourche in 1943.

Arthur was raised and educated in Belle Fourche. He enjoyed playing the guitar with his brothers, dancing with his sisters, fishing in the Belle Fourche River, and driving his old car.

On April 16, 1962, he married Rose Ann Davis in Rapid City. Following their marriage, they made their home in Belle Fourche. Two children were born to this union, Barbara and Vincent. Arthur initially supported his family by working at the Belle Fourche brick factory. Then he accepted a job offer with the Federal Bentonite plant in Colony, Wyoming. In his spare time, he worked as a handyman at Don Pratt Manor.

In 1976, Arthur accepted a job at Kennecott Energy's Cordero Rojo operation south of Gillette, Wyoming. A year later, Arthur bought a mobile home and moved his family to Gillette. He kept his house in Belle Fourche, stating that it would be his future retirement home.

One of Arthur's favorite pastimes was buying and selling old vehicles. There was always an old beat-up car sitting in the driveway. In his spare time, he would clean, polish, and drive the junker until it was time to sell it to whomever was interested.

After working for 30 years driving truck in the coal pit, he retired in 2006. Arthur and Rose returned to Belle Fourche, moved back into their old family home, and enjoyed the good life of retirement. Together Arthur and Rose were blessed with 63 years of marriage.

Arthur is survived by his wife Rose, daughter Barbara (Harlan) Heilman of Brenham, Texas and son Vincent Lopez of Rock Springs, Wyoming. His sisters Josphine Millis and Janet Collins and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Mary Lopez, stepfather Carlos Gutierez, brothers and sisters: Robert, Alfred, Isable, Rosie, Regina, Tony, Mary, Nellie, Elizabeth, Clara, Vincent Jr., Jimmy, MaryAnn, and Nicki.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Arthur's life on Monday, December 29, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Kline Funeral Chapel in Belle Fourche.

The family suggests memorials be sent to the Belle Fourche Fire Department.

The funeral will be livestreamed and can be viewed on Arthur's obituary page at klinefuneralchapel.com

An online guest book and video tribute is available at klinefuneralchapel.com