John Andrew Lopez Sept. 25, 1955 - Jan. 28, 2023

John Andrew Lopez, local Porterville businessman and owner of All About Ice Cream entered eternity on Jan. 28, 2023

Born in Brawley, CA on Sept 25, 1955 to Roque and Clara Lopez, his father passed away soon after John was born. Raised in Merced, he attended Merced schools, was an avid drummer in his high school band, before working in construction framing homes for eight years. In 1979, he married Debbie, whose family ran an ice cream store in Merced. In 1981, when interest rates soared and housing starts came to a standstill, John and Debbie purchased the local ice cream franchise at the corner of Olive and D in Porterville. When the relationship with the franchiser soured in 1998, he and Debbie, with help from the community turned the store into All About Ice Cream. Later, they moved across town to Henderson Ave, where John continued scooping ice cream until his death.

After high school, John was "tricked" into playing drums for a local Merced church, where he fell in love with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His passion for music shifted to worship, where he vowed to only use his talents to worship God. Because of this vow, he has blessed many congregations in the Porterville area with his acts of worship over the last 40 years.

John was preceded in death by his father, Roque Lopez, his mother Clara Onstead, stepfather JW Onstead, and older brother Rocky Lopez. He is survived by his wife of almost 44 years, Debbie, five sons: Steve (Krista), Tim (Jenna), Sam (Michelle), David (Janell), and Daniel, two daughters: Leah Ince, and Katie (Marcus) Camarena, and nine grandchildren.

A worship celebration will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 18, at the Terra Bella Church of the Nazarene, 23414 Ave 95, Terra Bella, CA 93270, with reception following. Feel free to wear your favorite Hawaiian attire!