ERIC F. LOPEZ
Sep. 26, 1977 - Oct. 7, 2017
Born in Harbor City, CA in 1977, Eric was the second of three children born to Fermin and Carmen Lopez. Eric loved music, soccer, nature, friends, students, his athletes, but above all, he loved his family. Friends and family loved his irreverent sense of humor and his knack for giving nicknames and telling stories.
In his youth, Eric attended local schools and and upon graduating from Calexico High School, he attended UCSD and Cal Poly Pomona where he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science. Eric worked for Imperial County Ag Commissioner’s office then moved on to work for Calexico School District, first at William Moreno Junior High School and then to Calexico High School.
His love for soccer led him to coach Calexico High School’s girls soccer team where he led them to three back to back championships. He believed in empowering young girls and helping them realize they were powerful, strong, capable, and self-sufficient. He was passionate about teaching biology to his students and was confident that all students could learn given support, understanding, and a feeling that they mattered.
Eric lost his 14 month battle to melanoma surrounded by family. He goes on to join his beloved daughter Mariana and father Fermin in heaven. He is survived by his wife, Leyiana; daughter, Carolina; mother, Carmen; sister, Vanessa (Aaron); brother, Luis (Laura); and numerous nieces and nephews. Our family would like to thank the staff at UCSD Moores Cancer Center and Jacobs Medical Center, staff at Calexico High School and Dool Elementary, family, countless friends, and members of the community for every prayer, thought, donation, and company throughout this journey.
A public celebration of life memorial will be held at Calexico High School’s Gym on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 6 p.m. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Calexico, California on Saturday October 28, 2017 at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Palliative/Hospice Care at Rady Children’s Hospital in tribute to Eric’s daughter Mariana Lopez De La Pena or to UCSD Moores Cancer Center in memory of Eric Lopez.