Obituaries & Tributes

Gilbert Lloyd López: Oct. 4, 1932 – Jan. 30, 2021

Gilbert L. López, 88, passed away Jan. 30, 2021 in Springfield, Ore. He was born on Oct. 4, 1932 in La Junta, Colo. to Cosme H. and Apolonia (Garcia) López and was ninth of 11 children. 

He was predeceased by his parents, Cosme and Apolonia, and six of his siblings, Edward López, Paul López, Helen Cortinaz, Rita Dundas, Marguerite Phelps and Dan’l Loner. He is survived by four siblings: Christopher López of Colorado Springs, Mathew and his wife Rebecca López of Pueblo, Colo., Cosme and his wife Tana López of Bend, Ore., and Gloria O’Keefe of Rockville, Md.

Gilbert graduated from La Junta High School and then joined the Marine Corps in 1951. Gilbert served and then went on to continue his education at Otero Junior College where he met the love of his life, Rosalia D. (Garcia) López. Once married they moved to Albuquerque, N.M. where Gilbert received his bachelor’s degree at the University of New Mexico.

Gilbert graduated and quickly received his first teaching job as Spanish teacher at Roseburg High School. While at Roseburg High School he went on to be dean of boys, vice principal and then principal. While at Roseburg High School his family grew and he would proudly comment when asked how many children they had: “We have four: two boys and two girls!”

Gilbert went on to be a stockbroker but after retirement went back to teaching Spanish. He taught at Lane Community College and also continued to teach to a group of women, advanced conversational Spanish, up until 2019. Gilbert was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and fought hard to not let his disease define him.

Gilbert also enjoyed writing love poems for Rosalia throughout their marriage and even composed a few into songs that he would sing to her over the years. He loved making people laugh with his jokes, singing his songs and reading his poetry. A few years back he wrote out his life story and loved to read it or give it to others to read.

Gilbert was predeceased by his lovely bride of 59 years, Rosalia D. (Garcia) López, his daughter Belinda López, and his grandson Nicholas Waldner.

Gilbert is survived by his son Randal López of Roseburg, Ore.; daughter Diana and her husband Rick Carlton of Eugene, Ore.; son Damian and his wife Renee López of Salem, Ore,; grandson Doug and his wife Janine López of Roseburg, Ore.; granddaughter KaSandra López of Portland, Ore.; granddaughter Tara Carlton of Eugene, Ore., granddaughter Taylor Carlton of Kailua-Kona, Haiwaii and grandson Kyle López of Salem, Ore.

A memorial will be planned for a later date. Donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Resource of Eugene. Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary. 

Instagram

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

The Chronicle (@thechronicle1909) • Instagram photos and videos