The family of Abelardo “Al” Juan Lopez has invited the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) to attend the Military Honors of their loved one as he makes his final journey. It will be our honor to do so.
Al, the fourth of ten siblings, was born on 08 February 1934 in Freeport, Texas and entered into Eternal Rest on 14 December 2019.
At an early age, growing up in East Los Angeles, Al helped his family by taking on jobs as newspaper delivery, shoe shine entrepreneur, appliance delivery and starting the “Lopez Brothers Appliance Repair Service”. Al was also President and Co-Founder, with brother Ray, of the East L.A. Hot Coils Car Club, all this before graduating from Garfield High School.
After graduating from high school, Al enlisted in the Air Force in 1953, serving in the Communications and Air Tower service. He served four years on active duty and four years in the Reserves. His assignments included duty in South Korea, the Philippines, Japan, China and at Langley Air Force Base. He also served as an Air Traffic Controller in San Francisco. Al was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class in 1961.
After the military, Al started his own appliance business, Belvedere Appliance and R & A Appliance in East Los Angeles. Years later, Al moved to Oxnard and would become involved in numerous business ventures with his brother Sal. Throughout his business career in Ventura County, Al was recognized for being the Founder and President of the Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce in Oxnard. In 1983 he was founder of the now “Strawberry Festival” in Oxnard, and in 1984 appointed by Governor George Deukmejian to the State Commission for Mexican-American Affairs. Meeting Cesar Chavez and receiving a plaque of appreciation from the United Farm Worker was on of his best life-time memories.
After moving to Banning, it was not long before the birth of “Al’s Burrito Factory”, A1 Exhaust Cleaning” and “A1 Appliance”. In 1999, Al founded the San Gorgonio Pass Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Banning. In 2001 he co-founded with his wife Miriam, the “Posadas Navideñas/Giving Joy on Christmas”, a program that benefits children 12 years and younger. According to Al, “no needy child should go without a toy on Christmas Day.”
Al is a past member of CERT (California Emergency Response Team) which focused on helping the Hispanic community in Banning in case of disaster. He received an Honorary Citizenship of The Philippines and many, many other awards and recognitions from City, County and State Leaders for his lifelong commitment to serve the communities where he lived. Everyone who ever met Al knows immediately, he was always a Man of Trust, Creditability, Honor and Faith in God.
Al is survived by Miriam, his wife of thirty years and his children, Marianela, Ronnie, Donna, Michael, Abelardo Jr., Veronica, Ricky, Pepe and Sandra. He also leaves behind three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, brothers Ramiro and Joe, sister Minnie and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his daughter Cynthia.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the church to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
If you cannot accompany this Hero please consider meeting us at the entrance of the Cemetery with a flag line as the hero arrives.
Time Table for Monday 06 January 2020 1115 – Stage at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 1234 Palm Ave., Beaumont, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/MWfZNZ7NWDnAAhNy91145 – Mission Briefing
1200 – Flag line as our Hero is moved to awaiting vehicle.
1215 – KSU(drive by) to family business, A-1 Appliance Center, 3800 W. Ramsey St. Banning, CA. (4.5 miles)
https://goo.gl/maps/iUZYF1D2713dSYAw51215 – KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, (Staging Area #2 for family, north of Staging Area #8 for PGR) 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
http://goo.gl/maps/v0K0E 1315 – KSU to assigned Shelter for Flag line, Service and Military Honors
RC: Ray “T-Bone” Gould
SoCalPGR Ride Captain
951-634-4112
ray@gouldgps.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
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