Joe was born on October 9th 1952 to Francis and Baltazar Lopez in Ft. Huachuca, AZ, the 5th of ten children. He was raised in Shafter, CA, where the family moved when he was still a baby. He often spoke of those years growing up in the rurals of Shafter with his four brothers and five sisters, and their myriad cousins, friends and neighbors as "simply the best." In 1970 he graduated from Shafter High School and attended Bakersfield College before enlisting in the Marines, graduating from the Officer Training Program and going on to serve in the Army for two years as a cryptographer, receiving an honorable discharge in 1976. Joe went on to have a successful career in the banking/financial industry where he made countless friends over a thirty-five year span. Those who had the privilege of working with Joe will certainly never forget him. Above all, Joe lived for his family. He met his wife, Janis, in the spring of 1978, and told her three weeks later that he was going to marry her. They married on September 1, 1978. Their love and devotion to each other carried them through 35 years of life together, raising three daughters, through the various towns and cities they called home, from Bakersfield, CA all the way up to Portland, OR and back. Laughing and loving and holding close to their family all the way. Joe loved the mountains, fishing, camping and hiking with his brothers. He loved to spend his time outside, working in his garden, walking his dog Poco, and writing poems in the cool early morning on his back patio. He was blessed with a brilliant and beautiful mind that never rested, known and cherished for his sharp intelligence, humor, and thoughtful wisdom. Yet he was also playful and silly and loved to tease those he was fond of most. He lives in our hearts now, through the things he taught us, the laughs we shared, the stories he entertained us with, and his beautiful poetry. Joe was an amazing dad, and a wonderful husband, and devoted son and loving brother, a dear friend to so many. He left us all too soon on June 14th, while backpacking on his favorite trail with his brother John on their way up to Eagle Lake in the Sequoia National Forest. Joe was preceeded in death by his father Baltazar and mother Francis, he is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Janis, his daughters Crystal Lopez, April Padilla (Phillip), and Sara Lopez, his 5 sisters Virginia Gilbert (Rick), Evelyn Parker, MaryLou Cruz (Ron), Liz Lopez-Byrnes (Dennis), and Rachel Samarripas (Reynaldo), his 4 brothers, Steve Lopez (Francine), Dave Lopez, John Lopez (Chris), Michael Lopez (Phyllis), his 21 nephews, 11nieces and their families. All services will be held in Shafter, CA, under the direction of Peters Funeral Home with a viewing scheduled for Friday June 21st from 4-8pm, and a graveside service on Saturday, June 22nd at 10am at the Shafter Memorial Park with a celebration of life to follow at the Shafter Memorial Veteran's Hall.