Jesus Valdez Lopez Jr

Jesus Lopez, 72, passed peacefully Thursday afternoon, January 22 nd , at Silver Springs nursing Home in Abilene, Texas. The visitation and service will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Shining Star Fellowship Church, Pastor Richard A. Darden officiating. He was born on September 21, 1953, in Hamlin, Texas to Jesus V Lopez Sr. and Elvira Barboza Lopez of Rotan, Texas.

Jesus grew up in Hobbs in Fisher County. He attended Hobbs Elementary/High School. His family relocated to Abilene, Texas in 1969 where he graduated from Abilene High School in 1975. His first job was with the City of Abilene Water and Sanitation Department. Driven by his passion to excel, he was accepted to Texas State Technical Institute where he gained skills in the field of diesel mechanics. In addition, adding to his abilities, he self-educated himself in the areas of construction and welding. He put these skills together and was employed by Overland Tank for 32 years as a welder.

His family was everything to him. He was a loving, caring father who gave his all for each one. He accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord at the age of 15. Shortly after arriving in Abilene, he joined Primera Iglesia Bautista in 1969. He loved his church and was ordained as a deacon. Afterward in his Christian journey, he united with Shining Star Fellowship and the Cowboy Church in Clyde, Texas. Lastly, he learned and experienced the grace of God through his journey of dependence following a severe stroke in 2019.

He is survived by his son Mark Lopez and his spouse (Sarah) of Lubbock, Texas; his daughter Esther Lopez of Abilene, Texas; his son Nicholas Lopez of Abilene, Texas. He is also survived by his sisters: Minerva Cortez and spouse (Steve) of Lubbock, Texas, and Evangelina Darden and spouse [Richard) of Abilene, Texas; and his nephew Timothy Cortez of Lubbock, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Esther Lopez (still born).