Gilbert Valiant Lopez

Gilbert Valiant Lopez, AKA Gil, passed away in Florissant, Colorado on November 4, 2023 as a result of a very short illness. 

Gil was born in Avalon, Catalina Island, California in 1950. As a young boy his childhood home was split between Catalina and Redondo Beach, California. He was a true outdoorsman, swimming diving and fishing in the ocean from an early age. His love of the outdoors continued into his adulthood as he spent every vacation camping in the Eastern Sierras and many weekends in Desert Hot Springs and fishing in lakes in Southern California. He was an avid fisherman. Gil had many talents including creating pen and ink drawings and wood carving. He was a prolific carver of unusual faces and created many hiking sticks and works of art. He retired from Northrop Grumman in 2008 and spent his retirement in Florissant, Colorado on his 5 acre property along with his wife. He enjoyed the season changes and his beautiful view and most of all tending to all things on the property. Although he was raised in the city, he especially enjoyed rural life, whether in the desert or the mountains. He knew the names of every bird that came to his feeder and made friends with all the wildlife on the property. Gil received many honors on his job at Northrop Grumman and was an exceptional craftsman and engineer.

He is predeceased by his parents Gilbert Lopez and Lillian Wheeler, his in-laws Tom and Glennie Fletcher, his best buddies Reese and Scooter and many other family members he fondly remembered.

He is survived by his spouse Lynne and previous spouse Dale Rivette, his children Jessie (Heidi) Lopez and Gilbert (Kim) Lopez and his step-daughter Michelle (Phil) Phares and grandchildren Madison Lopez, Zack Lopez, Kylie Lopez and Scotlynn Phares along with siblings, nieces and nephews and friends.

In lieu of a service, his immediate family will scatter his ashes in his favorite places. Donations can be made in his name to either Teller County Regional Animal Shelter (www.tcrascolorado.org) or World Central Kitchen (www.wck.org). 

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