Passed Away On: 2016-12-27 00:00:00
Elias R Lopez, 85, of Hollister, California passed away on December 27, 2016. Born in San Andres, Chihuahua, Mexico, he attended school in San Andres. He also attended Bible Training Institute of the Church of God of Prophecy in Tennessee. He was an ordained minister of the Church of God of Prophecy and served as the Main Pastor in churches in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and in Northern California.
He moved to Hollister in 1965 and he was instrumental in establishing the Church of God of Prophecy in Hollister where he was formerly head pastor, Sunday school teacher, and an active church member for several decades. He was also a retired employee of Contadina/San Benito Foods cannery in Hollister where he worked approximately 40 years until he retired at age 70 and he was a member of the Teamsters Union.
He is survived and lovingly remembered by his two daughters, Sylvia Lopez of Hollister and Elizabeth Lopez Pedersen with her husband Peter of Fair Oaks, a son-in-law, Fabian Avalos Sr. of Gilroy; his five sisters Sofia, Virginia, Maria Ela, Maria Dolores, Carmen, and brother, Pablo of New Mexico and Chihuahua, Mexico. He is also survived and will be missed by: nine grandchildren, Robert, Giovanni, Mercedes, Fabian Jr, Faith, Charity, Magaly, Peter and Daniel; six great grandchildren Lianna, Kiaunna, Kiarra, Zoe, Adam, and Samuel, of California and Nevada; his numerous nephews, nieces and the rest of his family and friends. He was predeceased by his daughter Judith Lopez Avalos, his three siblings Juan, Lauro and Rosario Lopez Rivera and his parents Petra and Pablo Lopez.
Elias Lopez enjoyed gardening, he had a thriving vegetable garden, he enjoyed music and playing piano, guitar, mandolin and violin, collected coins, enjoyed walking, studying his Bible, telling stories, and had a way of making people smile and laugh. He will be remembered for his love of God, love of family, for his friendliness, humble spirit, and kindness, his incredible knowledge of the Bible and for his wisdom.
The Memorial Service/Celebration of the life of Elias Lopez will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the Church of God of Prophecy, 530 Virginia Drive, Hollister, California with a viewing to begin at 12:00 noon and Memorial service beginning at 1:00 PM. Interment will be at I.O.O.F Cemetery immediately following the service.