Eulalio "Leo" Lopez

Eulalio “Leo” Lopez, 74, of Roswell, NM, passed away on the morning of April 27, 2020, peacefully in his sleep. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with Leo’s family at www.andersonbethany.com. Pops, as all the kids who loved him called him, believed that if you take care of children, they will take care of the community. He worked to make life right for kids from all walks of life and in every facet of the community. Born in Cottonwood, NM on December 10, 1945, Leo graduated from Roswell High School in 1965. He married Esther Lopez on July 9, 1976. Together they raised more children than most people could imagine. Along with their own children, Leo and Esther had 18 foster children who know they are loved today just as they did when they lived in the Lopez home. Leo graduated from the police academy on July 13, 1978. He served a full career with the Roswell Police Department, retiring with the rank of Commander on January 23, 1999. Leo served in the United States Army for 27 years, and he retired in 2005. He also served in the National Guard until 1992. Leo’s final career was 12 years with the New Mexico Military Institute, where his faith in and love of children served dozens of students each day. In Leo’s spare time, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and woodworking. He was an active member of the Roswell Elk’s Lodge #969 for many years. Leo also invested much of his personal time with programs such as CASA, CYFD, the foster care program, and others. In late 1992, Leo was honored as Chaves County Crimestoppers Officer of the year because, along with his dedicated service, he was instrumental in bringing Robert Steven Farley’s killers to justice. He gave from his heart right to the end, in December of last year, Leo was declared cancer-free. As he regained his strength, he learned of a couple of children who were not going to get Christmas presents that year. After Leo’s death, his family learned that he had purchased bicycles for those two children. Leo is survived by his wife, Esther; daughter, Patricia Doxsey and granddaughter Tosha Doxsey, and great-grandson, Gavin; son, Mike Lopez and wife Susan, and granddaughters: Bailey Lopez and Stephanie Winn and husband Kevin, and great-grandchildren: Owen and Hazel; son, Paul Lopez and wife Angie, and grandchildren: Nicholas, Nicole Graves, Kesha Spearance and husband Walter, and great-grandchildren: Khandi, Lilly, Chloe, and Nathaniel, grandson, Tre Graves and great-grandson Josiah; son, Roman Blueskyes and wife Oceana, and grandchildren: Leo and Luna; son, Rey Berrones and wife Kelly, and grandchildren Hayden, Layne, Dylan and Shelby; daughter, Gloria Harrison, and grandsons: Indigo and Tolkien; and great-grandchildren: Logan and Zachary Swift; and 18 foster children; as well as his siblings: Mary Varela, Virginia Buchanan, and Manuel Lopez. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro and Ermina “Minnie” Lopez; siblings: Pete Lopez, Fred Lopez, Lorena Luna, and Ramon Lopez; and granddaughter, Sierra Harrison. Due to public health restrictions, a Memorial Service will be held at a later date, as yet to be determined. Pallbearers will be his four sons: Mike, Paul, Roman, and Rey; brother-in-law, Paul Nuñez, as well as Chris Bradley, who will be representing the Roswell Police Department. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Chaves County CASA at www.casakids.org

Eulalio "Leo" Lopez

December 10, 1945 - April 27, 2020