The family of NCC John W. Lopez, age 43, and the US Navy have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to honor him for his outstanding service to our country, it will be our honor to do so.
Born in Cali, Colombia on October 15, 1978, Chief Lopez graduated from Santa Librada High School, in Jun 1996.
John moved to United States in 1998 and enlisted in the Navy in Queens, New York on Jan 2001. After graduating from the Navy Recruit Training, he reported to Seaman Apprentice Program two weeks course in Great Lakes, Illinois. On April 2001, he reported to USS Frederick LST 1184, in Pearl Harbor, HI, where he was assigned to the Deck department. While serving in Second Division, as a Seaman Recruit, he consistently excelled and worked his way up through the ranks and levels of qualification. While in USS Frederick, he requested and was approved for Personnelman (PN) “A” school.
After the completion of PN “A” school, he received orders to USS Donald Cook DDG75 on November 2002. While onboard USS Cook, he served in ADMIN Department where he expertly handled Fleet Reserve transfers, separations, reenlistments, receipt transfers, and pay documents.
As a PN3, he assisted the Command Career Counselor in processing Perform-to-Serve, Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SBR) and reenlistments. His commitment, hard work, and organization skills were a significant contributing factor to his department receiving a score of 92% for mission readiness during an INSURV inspection.
In June 2005, John transferred to Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) Little Creek. PS2 Lopez held the duties of Leading Petty Officer for both Reenlistments and Separations department during his tour onboard. His leadership skills were instrumental in the Separation/Reenlistment Section receiving an overall grade of excellent during an administration and personnel inspection.
In November of 2007, PS2 Lopez transferred to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training. He dropped on request the following year in hell week. While assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Center he served as the command Classifier, Education Service Officer, and Career Counselor assistant. He demonstrated superlative performance, and requested conversion to Navy Counselor rating prior his departure from the center.
In May 2008, John volunteered for an individual augmentation assignment in Iraq. He was recognized numerous times by Sailors throughout Iraq for his outstanding customer service. As Deployment Coordinator, he arranged inter-theater transportation for over 3400 Sailors. He provided a weekly report to NAVCENT with data essential for long-term Navy source billets in Iraq.
In January 2009, he successfully completed Navy Counselor School and transferred to Maritime Expeditionary Squadron two Portsmouth, where he continues as a Command Career Counselor. In Feb 2014, he reported to Helicopter Squadron Company 21 aqnd was selected to Chief Petty Officer in Aug 2016. In July 2018, he was transferred to Naval Medical Center San Diego and served as the Command Career Counselor where he still served at the time of his passing.
Military decorations and awards:
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 01APR2001
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 12DEC2002
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 01OCT2002
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 01JUL2005
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 27DEC2007
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 21DEC2008
John loved the military since childhood. His hobbies were cycling and running. Tried out for triathlon.
Chief Lopez is survived by Luz S. Morales, his Mother, and Jose D. Lopez, his Father. Many other family members, friends and fellow Sailors. The sorrow of losing him is felt by all and he will never be forgotten.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. We will be accompanying the Hero and his family from the family home to the Naval Base gate at North Island, please see the time table below if you are able to attend.
NOTE: PLEASE OBSERVE COVID PRECAUTIONS IF ANY, HAVE MASK AVAILABLE IF REQUIRED.
NOTE: THIS IS AN ACTIVE DUTY HERO, TAGS WILL BE AVAILABLE.Time Table for Friday, 25 February 2022:0900 - Stage at Sherwin- Williams Paint Store, 1760 5th Ave., San Diego, Ca. 92101
(Meet in the parking lot behind the store (west side of building) parking lot entrance is on Elm St.)
https://goo.gl/maps/qxRtVBHYLX3UxYpn70910 - Mission briefing
0930 - KSU to family home
0940 - Arrive at the family home
0945 - Flag Line for Hero as his urn is moved to family vehicle
1000 - KSU for North Island Naval Base, Coronado, CA 92118
https://goo.gl/maps/CQrKv8gLuTRmWRj481025 - Arrive at NASNI Base - Go in the visitor parking lot & dismount & give a final salute to the Hero and family as they go in the gate.
R/C Ken Brassell "Santa Ken"
SoCal PGR Ride Captainkenbrassell@gmail.com
619-333-9685
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are 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 Ride Captain (RC). 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.
