Joseph Lopez obituary: Joseph Lopez's Obituary, Denver
In Memory Of
Joseph A. Lopez
1940 - 2017
In Memory Of
Joseph A. Lopez
1940 - 2017
Joseph Abraham Lopez , 76, of Lakewood, passed away February 16, 2017.
He was born February 26, 1940 in Cokedale, Colorado, the son of Abraham and Frances (Zamora) Lopez. He went to Lake Junior High and was a graduate of West High School in 1958. He graduated from Denver University in 1962 with dual Bachelors Degrees in Market & Business Administration and Music.
Joe had a love for music. His Dad gave him his first saxophone for his twelfth birthday. He taught himself how to play it. At age 15, he started his own band, which was called "Joe Lopez and the Teen Notes" which had 5 members. As of today, only one member of that band is still alive, Mike Sena (who is 78 years old). He had a manager that booked gigs within a two-hour radius from Denver, playing in Nebraska, Wyoming and Denver. At that time, Denver had what was called "Denver Bandstand." Joe's band played a lot at "Denver Bandstand." He went to West High School and Joe and his band played at many of the dances. While playing in the band, KOSI radio were the MCs and the DJs for their band. The DJs names were Gene Price and Tony Larson. Marshall Sapillo was their sponsor. Mr. Sapillo was the owner of Pappy Price Plymouth. Channel 2 TV had the Leo Pepper Show and their band was the first Hispanic band to appear on that show in the history of Colorado. There were 2 bands that auditioned for the show and Joe's band was picked to be the official band to play on the Leo Pepper Show.
When he got to DU, he was in another band. When he graduated from DU, he was playing at a club and there was a talent scout that noticed Joe's talent and asked if he would like to go on the road to play with a band in Chicago. Joe agreed and that was the beginning of him being on the road from 1962-1975. In that time frame that he was on the road, he played in every state of the United States except for Alaska and Hawaii. He also had the privilege and honor to play for the Bob Hope USO Tours for the troops. While on the road, Joe also worked a full-time job during the day and sometimes he would give guitar, piano and sax lessons.
Joe worked for Johnson & Johnson in Quality Control for a number of years. Then, he worked for DDRCCO in Lakewood for 10 years in the Marketing Department. There, he helped to obtain jobs for those with disabilities.
When his Dad became ill in 1975, Joe decided to move back to Denver. It was then that he became a Born-Again Christian, studying the Bible every day for 10 years. He then decided to use his saxophone for his Ministry. He named his Ministry "Servant Ministries" and as his card said, "Anointed Praise & Worship with a Servant's Heart." He never charged when he played for church services, weddings or funerals. The reason this was because he gave God the glory for giving him the gift to play and since God gave him his talent freely, he wanted to give freely. He played a lot in the inner city churches.
Joe had gotten on Facebook two years ago, right before his 75th birthday. He decided to use Facebook differently than most people. He used his page to minister to people. There were over 200 people on his page from several countries as well as the United States and Denver area. He was a legend in his own right.
He will be greatly missed since he had such a huge heart and love for people and always thought of them first. He had blessed so many people with his music. His soft voice and his jazz background fit just perfect when playing. He was an Angel on Earth and is now looking down on us as an Angel from Heaven. He truly left a legacy in trying to reach people and teach them about the Lord.
Joseph is survived by Two Sisters, Bernice Gryba and Evelyn Lopez; many nieces and nephews and Friend, Anna Marie "Annie" (Mark) McKay.
Joe is preceded in death by Parents, Abraham Joseph and Frances Lopez and a sister, Dolores Muniz.
The Celebration of Joe's Life will be at 3:00pm on Saturday April 8, 2017 at VFW Post 501, 4747 W. Colfax Ave. in Denver. This celebration is a potluck celebration - please do not bring any desserts including cake, pies & cookies since there will be two full sheet cakes celebration Joe's birthday. Please bring casseroles or any type of salads, cheeses, fruits or meats.
Memorial contributions may be made to MaxFund, 720 W 10th Ave, Denver, CO 80204. Joe had a huge heart not only for animals but adopted them who had disabilities.
To share a memory of Joseph or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
He was born February 26, 1940 in Cokedale, Colorado, the son of Abraham and Frances (Zamora) Lopez. He went to Lake Junior High and was a graduate of West High School in 1958. He graduated from Denver University in 1962 with dual Bachelors Degrees in Market & Business Administration and Music.
Joe had a love for music. His Dad gave him his first saxophone for his twelfth birthday. He taught himself how to play it. At age 15, he started his own band, which was called "Joe Lopez and the Teen Notes" which had 5 members. As of today, only one member of that band is still alive, Mike Sena (who is 78 years old). He had a manager that booked gigs within a two-hour radius from Denver, playing in Nebraska, Wyoming and Denver. At that time, Denver had what was called "Denver Bandstand." Joe's band played a lot at "Denver Bandstand." He went to West High School and Joe and his band played at many of the dances. While playing in the band, KOSI radio were the MCs and the DJs for their band. The DJs names were Gene Price and Tony Larson. Marshall Sapillo was their sponsor. Mr. Sapillo was the owner of Pappy Price Plymouth. Channel 2 TV had the Leo Pepper Show and their band was the first Hispanic band to appear on that show in the history of Colorado. There were 2 bands that auditioned for the show and Joe's band was picked to be the official band to play on the Leo Pepper Show.
When he got to DU, he was in another band. When he graduated from DU, he was playing at a club and there was a talent scout that noticed Joe's talent and asked if he would like to go on the road to play with a band in Chicago. Joe agreed and that was the beginning of him being on the road from 1962-1975. In that time frame that he was on the road, he played in every state of the United States except for Alaska and Hawaii. He also had the privilege and honor to play for the Bob Hope USO Tours for the troops. While on the road, Joe also worked a full-time job during the day and sometimes he would give guitar, piano and sax lessons.
Joe worked for Johnson & Johnson in Quality Control for a number of years. Then, he worked for DDRCCO in Lakewood for 10 years in the Marketing Department. There, he helped to obtain jobs for those with disabilities.
When his Dad became ill in 1975, Joe decided to move back to Denver. It was then that he became a Born-Again Christian, studying the Bible every day for 10 years. He then decided to use his saxophone for his Ministry. He named his Ministry "Servant Ministries" and as his card said, "Anointed Praise & Worship with a Servant's Heart." He never charged when he played for church services, weddings or funerals. The reason this was because he gave God the glory for giving him the gift to play and since God gave him his talent freely, he wanted to give freely. He played a lot in the inner city churches.
Joe had gotten on Facebook two years ago, right before his 75th birthday. He decided to use Facebook differently than most people. He used his page to minister to people. There were over 200 people on his page from several countries as well as the United States and Denver area. He was a legend in his own right.
He will be greatly missed since he had such a huge heart and love for people and always thought of them first. He had blessed so many people with his music. His soft voice and his jazz background fit just perfect when playing. He was an Angel on Earth and is now looking down on us as an Angel from Heaven. He truly left a legacy in trying to reach people and teach them about the Lord.
Joseph is survived by Two Sisters, Bernice Gryba and Evelyn Lopez; many nieces and nephews and Friend, Anna Marie "Annie" (Mark) McKay.
Joe is preceded in death by Parents, Abraham Joseph and Frances Lopez and a sister, Dolores Muniz.
The Celebration of Joe's Life will be at 3:00pm on Saturday April 8, 2017 at VFW Post 501, 4747 W. Colfax Ave. in Denver. This celebration is a potluck celebration - please do not bring any desserts including cake, pies & cookies since there will be two full sheet cakes celebration Joe's birthday. Please bring casseroles or any type of salads, cheeses, fruits or meats.
Memorial contributions may be made to MaxFund, 720 W 10th Ave, Denver, CO 80204. Joe had a huge heart not only for animals but adopted them who had disabilities.
To share a memory of Joseph or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Joseph Abraham Lopez , 76, of Lakewood, passed away February 16, 2017.
He was born February 26, 1940 in Cokedale, Colorado, the son of Abraham and Frances (Zamora) Lopez. He went to Lake Junior High and was a graduate of West High School in 1958. He graduated from Denver University in 1962 with dual Bachelors Degrees in Market & Business Administration and Music.
Joe had a love for music. His Dad gave him his first saxophone for his twelfth birthday. He taught himself how to play it. At age 15, he started his own band, which was called "Joe Lopez and the Teen Notes" which had 5 members. As of today, only one member of that band is still alive, Mike Sena (who is 78 years old). He had a manager that booked gigs within a two-hour radius from Denver, playing in Nebraska, Wyoming and Denver. At that time, Denver had what was called "Denver Bandstand." Joe's band played a lot at "Denver Bandstand." He went to West High School and Joe and his band played at many of the dances. While playing in the band, KOSI radio were the MCs and the DJs for their band. The DJs names were Gene Price and Tony Larson. Marshall Sapillo was their sponsor. Mr. Sapillo was the owner of Pappy Price Plymouth. Channel 2 TV had the Leo Pepper Show and their band was the first Hispanic band to appear on that show in the history of Colorado. There were 2 bands that auditioned for the show and Joe's band was picked to be the official band to play on the Leo Pepper Show.
When he got to DU, he was in another band. When he graduated from DU, he was playing at a club and there was a talent scout that noticed Joe's talent and asked if he would like to go on the road to play with a band in Chicago. Joe agreed and that was the beginning of him being on the road from 1962-1975. In that time frame that he was on the road, he played in every state of the United States except for Alaska and Hawaii. He also had the privilege and honor to play for the Bob Hope USO Tours for the troops. While on the road, Joe also worked a full-time job during the day and sometimes he would give guitar, piano and sax lessons.
Joe worked for Johnson & Johnson in Quality Control for a number of years. Then, he worked for DDRCCO in Lakewood for 10 years in the Marketing Department. There, he helped to obtain jobs for those with disabilities.
When his Dad became ill in 1975, Joe decided to move back to Denver. It was then that he became a Born-Again Christian, studying the Bible every day for 10 years. He then decided to use his saxophone for his Ministry. He named his Ministry "Servant Ministries" and as his card said, "Anointed Praise & Worship with a Servant's Heart." He never charged when he played for church services, weddings or funerals. The reason this was because he gave God the glory for giving him the gift to play and since God gave him his talent freely, he wanted to give freely. He played a lot in the inner city churches.
Joe had gotten on Facebook two years ago, right before his 75th birthday. He decided to use Facebook differently than most people. He used his page to minister to people. There were over 200 people on his page from several countries as well as the United States and Denver area. He was a legend in his own right.
He will be greatly missed since he had such a huge heart and love for people and always thought of them first. He had blessed so many people with his music. His soft voice and his jazz background fit just perfect when playing. He was an Angel on Earth and is now looking down on us as an Angel from Heaven. He truly left a legacy in trying to reach people and teach them about the Lord.
Joseph is survived by Two Sisters, Bernice Gryba and Evelyn Lopez; many nieces and nephews and Friend, Anna Marie "Annie" (Mark) McKay.
Joe is preceded in death by Parents, Abraham Joseph and Frances Lopez and a sister, Dolores Muniz.
The Celebration of Joe's Life will be at 3:00pm on Saturday April 8, 2017 at VFW Post 501, 4747 W. Colfax Ave. in Denver. This celebration is a potluck celebration - please do not bring any desserts including cake, pies & cookies since there will be two full sheet cakes celebration Joe's birthday. Please bring casseroles or any type of salads, cheeses, fruits or meats.
Memorial contributions may be made to MaxFund, 720 W 10th Ave, Denver, CO 80204. Joe had a huge heart not only for animals but adopted them who had disabilities.
To share a memory of Joseph or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
He was born February 26, 1940 in Cokedale, Colorado, the son of Abraham and Frances (Zamora) Lopez. He went to Lake Junior High and was a graduate of West High School in 1958. He graduated from Denver University in 1962 with dual Bachelors Degrees in Market & Business Administration and Music.
Joe had a love for music. His Dad gave him his first saxophone for his twelfth birthday. He taught himself how to play it. At age 15, he started his own band, which was called "Joe Lopez and the Teen Notes" which had 5 members. As of today, only one member of that band is still alive, Mike Sena (who is 78 years old). He had a manager that booked gigs within a two-hour radius from Denver, playing in Nebraska, Wyoming and Denver. At that time, Denver had what was called "Denver Bandstand." Joe's band played a lot at "Denver Bandstand." He went to West High School and Joe and his band played at many of the dances. While playing in the band, KOSI radio were the MCs and the DJs for their band. The DJs names were Gene Price and Tony Larson. Marshall Sapillo was their sponsor. Mr. Sapillo was the owner of Pappy Price Plymouth. Channel 2 TV had the Leo Pepper Show and their band was the first Hispanic band to appear on that show in the history of Colorado. There were 2 bands that auditioned for the show and Joe's band was picked to be the official band to play on the Leo Pepper Show.
When he got to DU, he was in another band. When he graduated from DU, he was playing at a club and there was a talent scout that noticed Joe's talent and asked if he would like to go on the road to play with a band in Chicago. Joe agreed and that was the beginning of him being on the road from 1962-1975. In that time frame that he was on the road, he played in every state of the United States except for Alaska and Hawaii. He also had the privilege and honor to play for the Bob Hope USO Tours for the troops. While on the road, Joe also worked a full-time job during the day and sometimes he would give guitar, piano and sax lessons.
Joe worked for Johnson & Johnson in Quality Control for a number of years. Then, he worked for DDRCCO in Lakewood for 10 years in the Marketing Department. There, he helped to obtain jobs for those with disabilities.
When his Dad became ill in 1975, Joe decided to move back to Denver. It was then that he became a Born-Again Christian, studying the Bible every day for 10 years. He then decided to use his saxophone for his Ministry. He named his Ministry "Servant Ministries" and as his card said, "Anointed Praise & Worship with a Servant's Heart." He never charged when he played for church services, weddings or funerals. The reason this was because he gave God the glory for giving him the gift to play and since God gave him his talent freely, he wanted to give freely. He played a lot in the inner city churches.
Joe had gotten on Facebook two years ago, right before his 75th birthday. He decided to use Facebook differently than most people. He used his page to minister to people. There were over 200 people on his page from several countries as well as the United States and Denver area. He was a legend in his own right.
He will be greatly missed since he had such a huge heart and love for people and always thought of them first. He had blessed so many people with his music. His soft voice and his jazz background fit just perfect when playing. He was an Angel on Earth and is now looking down on us as an Angel from Heaven. He truly left a legacy in trying to reach people and teach them about the Lord.
Joseph is survived by Two Sisters, Bernice Gryba and Evelyn Lopez; many nieces and nephews and Friend, Anna Marie "Annie" (Mark) McKay.
Joe is preceded in death by Parents, Abraham Joseph and Frances Lopez and a sister, Dolores Muniz.
The Celebration of Joe's Life will be at 3:00pm on Saturday April 8, 2017 at VFW Post 501, 4747 W. Colfax Ave. in Denver. This celebration is a potluck celebration - please do not bring any desserts including cake, pies & cookies since there will be two full sheet cakes celebration Joe's birthday. Please bring casseroles or any type of salads, cheeses, fruits or meats.
Memorial contributions may be made to MaxFund, 720 W 10th Ave, Denver, CO 80204. Joe had a huge heart not only for animals but adopted them who had disabilities.
To share a memory of Joseph or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Services & Gatherings
Celebration of Joe's Life
Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 3:00pm
VFW Post 501, 4747 W. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO
West Metro Chapel (303-274-6065) is assisting the family
West Metro Chapel (303-274-6065) is assisting the family