Pete was born in Arboles, Colo., the youngest of nine children. He grew up and worked on the family ranch, where he lived until he graduated from Ignacio High School in 1958. Shortly after graduating from high school, Pete joined the Army. He completed training as M48 Advanced Armor Crewman in Vilseck Germany. Pete fondly told stories of his time in Germany to include meeting Elvis, who was stationed in Germany at the same time. After his release from the Army and returning home, Pete met and married the love of his life, Polly Velasquez. Pete and Polly courted long distance, her in Pagosa Springs, him in Las Vegas, Nev., until they married on June 25, 1964. Pete and Polly raised their children in Las Vegas for several years until deciding to return to Colorado for a better life in the country. Pete worked as a state highway maintenance technician for the Colorado Department of Transportation until he retired in 1997. Pete continued ranching on the family ranch until his health declined and was unable to continue. Pete was an active member of the Catholic Church. Pete, alongside his wife, served as Eucharistic ministers, teaching CCD and marriage preparation classes. Pete was instrumental in the spiritual lives of many young men and women teaching and counseling them. Pete was a family man who loved spending meals and holidays with his immediate and extended family. He loved hunting, camping, his cows and anything to do with the family ranch. Pete was a die-hard Bronco fan and never met a cinnamon roll he didn’t like. He was a kind and patient man and is loved by many. He is survived by his loving wife, Pauline (Polly) Lopez; son Dennis (Frances) Lopez; daughters Susan and Nancy Lopez, Paula (Jose) Trujillo; sister Elisida Enriquez; brother Manuel Rudolf Lopez; grandchildren Thomas Santistevan, David Montoya, Charlotte Santistevan and Alex Lopez; great-grandchildren Maryah and Sean Montoya and Pedro Santistevan; as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Pete is predeceased by his mother and father, Theodora and Margarito Lopez; brothers Richard, Tony, Lee and Dan Lopez; and sisters Florence Vallejos and Lena Barela. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
