88R19484 CW-D
By: Lozano H.R. No. 665
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Manuel Lopez on
August 3, 2022, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, The son of Rufino and Elvira Lopez, Manuel Lopez was
born in San Diego, Texas, on January 1, 1938, and he was a member of
the Class of 1956 at the Texas Military Institute; after attending
Texas A&M University, he earned a political science degree from
Park University; he also graduated from the Command and General
Staff College and was a faculty member there; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, Mr. Lopez enlisted in the U.S. Army, first
serving as a sergeant with the 69th Armor Regiment in Germany before
commanding a missile battery at Fort Carson; next, he commanded the
Headquarters Battery of the 2nd Target Acquisition Battalion in
Korea and served with the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII
Airborne Corps Operations Staff at Fort Bragg; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lopez deployed to Vietnam in 1966 as an
airborne division battalion commander; subsequently, he rejoined
the XVIII Airborne Corps and was named airborne advisor for the
Argentine Army; in the 1970s, he went back to Korea as a fire
support coordinator, and in Texas, he became executive officer for
the 2nd Armored Division Artillery; he was later named chief of
staff of the Division Forward in Germany and then chief of the
Military Assistance Group in Argentina; his final active duty
assignment was with the Arkansas National Guard; he concluded his
distinguished 30-year career at the rank of colonel; his awards
included the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious
Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Air Medal;
after retiring from the military, he worked as a corporate
marketing manager for the Hallmark Electronics Firm; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lopez shared a rewarding marriage with his wife,
the late Maria Rosario Lopez, and he took great pride in his 5
children, Camilla, Corina, Alma, Manuel, and Ana, as well as his 16
grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Manuel Lopez earned the lasting respect and
admiration of all who were privileged to know him, and he leaves
behind a legacy that his loved ones can remember with pride; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Army Colonel
(Ret.) Manuel Lopez and extend heartfelt sympathy to his relatives
and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Manuel
Lopez.