ZAPATA, TEXAS---Nicolas Lopez Sr. 79, passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Lopez is preceded in death by his daughter, Andrea M. Lopez; parents, Guadalupe and Leonor Lopez.

Mr. Lopez is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alma C. Lopez; sons, Nicolas Lopez Jr., Noe Arturo "Tuto" (Veronica) Lopez; daughter, Iris Patricia Lopez; grandchildren, Jorge Hernandez, Selissa Lopez (Angel Domiguez), Noe Arturo Lopez Jr., Rebecka Lopez; great grandsons, Jorge Hernandez Jr., Aiden J. Dominguez; brother, Norberto (Dahlia) Lopez; sisters, Juana (†Oscar) Vela, Amada (Flumencio) Munoz and by other family members and friends.

In August 1964, Nicolas underwent basic training in Fort Polk, Louisiana.  In January 1965 after completing basic training, Nicolas was transferred to Camp Kaiser, South Korea by sea, where he was stationed for 19 months.  After finishing his tour, he returned to Zapata and served with the National Guard.  Nicolas served with the National Guard in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  Nicolas Lopez, SPC 4, Infantry Division U. S. Army.

One of Nicolas' career highlights was working for the Zapata County school district as a bus driver for eleven years. He loved his work at ZCISD and took great pleasure in working with the communities' children. Nicolas worked with Zapata Ready Mix most of his life after serving in the army and retired in 2014.

Visitation hours will be held on Monday, December 27, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a vigil at 7:00 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

The funeral procession will depart Tuesday, December 28, 2021 9:30 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery, including full Military Honors by the Zapata County Color Guard.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 N. US HWY 83 Zapata, Texas.