Dominick “Don” Lopez was born August 30, 1941 in Dawmont, West Virginia. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to Southern California where he spent most of his life. On February 20, 1971 he married the love of his life, Margie, and together they raised 3 sons. Don was a hard worker and a good provider for his family. He worked for more than 35 years as the manager of a parking garage at the Petroleum Building in downtown Los Angeles and then as an equipment manager at Azusa Pacific University until his retirement in 2007. Don was a faithful Christian who loved and served the Lord for most of his life.
In 2005, Don and Margie, their son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Dana Lopez, and Dana’s parents, Sam and Brenda Crowell, founded Dogwood Ranch, a non-profit charity that provides a place of belonging for foster teens, a transitional living program, and equine assisted therapy. Don loved Dogwood Ranch and enjoyed helping with the vehicle maintenance and other ranch duties.
One of Don’s favorite pastimes was driving and working on his 1960 Cadillac that he had owned since 1970. At their wedding, they used the Cadillac to drive the bride and groom. This became a tradition as all 3 of their sons, a niece, and some family friends also used the Cadillac in their weddings which made Don very proud.
After his retirement in 2007, Don and Margie moved to Saddlebrooke, Missouri where he enjoyed cooking and baking traditional Italian foods and pastries. He spent many days making biscotti, pizzelles, cannoli, tiramisu, and other Italian pastries which he delivered to his Saddlebrooke neighbors. He became affectionately known in the community as “The Cookie Man” and neighbors loved to see Don walking up to their door with a plateful of goodies. In 2019, Don and Margie moved to Nixa, Missouri to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Don thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren, and it was not uncommon to see him, in traditional Italian style, pinching their cheeks and planting a big kiss on their forehead. They loved him as well and will have many fond memories of their “Pappy”.
Don is survived by his wife Margie, three sons, Brian and his wife Dana, Rick and his wife Sharon, Steve and his wife Nicole; seven beautiful grandchildren: Michael, Angelina, Hailey, Kezzie, Sammy Jo, Sophia, and Anthony. He is also survived by his twin sister Margie McCurrie of California and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Don’s memory to Dogwood Ranch (www.dogwoodranch.org).
Funeral services for Don will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 24, 2023 in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, Missouri. A private family burial will follow. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.
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Janelle Melton says
February 20, 2023 at 8:50 pmMargie and family, please know how much I love you all and most certainly, Don. I always called him handsome and gave him a hug and a kiss. I would sit with him at the Dogwood Ranch events so he wouldn’t be alone as the other family members were busy taking care of the event. I would also have Dude sit with him so I could help set up or clean up. He always had a gleam in his eye and a sense of humor. Oh how he loved to eat good food! I will miss you, Don, but will always be Margie’s friend and will take her out to lunch often. You will be missed, but I am soooooo happy you are now with Jesus and free from the bondage of this earthly body. I know Jesus is excited to have you with Him. I will see you later up there, so save me a seat on the front row! Much love to Margie and the family.
Harry and Carol Gaines-Saddlebrooke says
February 21, 2023 at 11:42 amMargie & family….We send our prayers to all of you for Don’s passing. The world has lost a truly generous and kind man. We do fondly remember his great personality, his cooking and baking expertise, his chef created specialties at Saddlebrooke dinners, the weekly summer farmer’s market trips he made to offer fresh produce to many of us, and the laughs we shared having you both as great neighbors. We were fortunate to have you in our community and in our lives. May God bless you and your family during this difficult time.
Harry and Carol -Saddlebrooke says
February 21, 2023 at 11:50 amMargie and family… We send our prayers to all of you for Don’s passing. The world has lost a truly generous and kind man. We so fondly remember his great personality, his cooking and baking expertise, his chef created specialities at Saddlebrooke dinners, the weekly summer farmer’s market trips he made to offer fresh produce to many of us, and the laughs we shared having you both as great neighbors. We were fortunate to have you in our community and in our lives. May God bless you and your family during this difficult time.
Jacqueline J. says
February 22, 2023 at 10:13 amVery sorry for your loss. He seemed like a wonderful husband and family man. I wish I had the opportunity to know him. I am blessed that I was introduced to your family, even if it was a short while. My prayers are with you all, especially Margie.
Paul & Donna Dountas says
February 22, 2023 at 3:55 pmMargie—We had Book Club last night and we mostly talked and remembered all the good times that Don Lopez provided to the entire Saddlebrooke community. Always enjoyed his Italian cooking, vintage cars, and his bright smile when he would come to your door with his Italian specialty bakery . He will truly be missed. Thoughts are with you and your family.
Jeff and Brenda Birdsong says
February 23, 2023 at 11:32 amWe were so sad to hear of Don’s passing. We have lots of good memories from our times together at Foothill Christian Center. So many memories of dinners at Petrillo’s , our favorite Italian restaurant in Glendora. We.re thinking of you, Margie and your family as you say good-bye for now to Don. May knowing you will see him again bring you comfort. He is well now and in the arms of Jesus.
Prayers and hugs, Jeff and Brenda
Penni Ziers says
February 24, 2023 at 9:36 amUncle Don was without a doubt, my favorite Uncle. He was one of the kindest and most caring men I have ever known. Much like his twin sister Margie, we bonded over a love of Italian cooking and gardening. Undoubtedly his warmth and love of entertaining were inherited from his mother Mary. When she passed away, he took up the mantle of making canned peppers for the family, handing down the tradition to future generations. The whole family would gather and stir the humungous pot with an enormous paddle for hours. The smell of garlic and onions was so heavy in the air, it would make everyone’s eyes water. As with everything, he made the process fun. A prouder Italian-American the world has never known.
The most gracious of hosts, his Christmas eve dinners were legendary. He and Aunt Marge would spend days preparing. While the Italian tradition is to serve 7 fishes on Christmas eve, uncle Don (always an overachiever) would serve 20-30. He and Aunt Marge would spend days preparing. He would trek to the downtown LA fish market at dawn and scour every stall to find only the best ingredients for his family. It was such an extravagant feast that we reminisce about it longingly every Christmas, though it was 15 years since he left California to give his family a better life in Missouri.
He would always save my favorite appetizer (cheese boreg) for me as I often worked late on Christmas eve. But he was that way, thoughtful and kind never making a big fuss about it. I also remember him patiently trying to teach me how to make it for hours, which I failed miserably at. I never had the patience. While no one would consider my uncle a patient man (Lopez’s were raised to get it done now) but when it came to helping me learn to cook, he had the patience of Jobe.
I was so excited to be a flower girl at his wedding 51 years ago. He chose wisely in a wife and was lucky to have Aunt Marge by his side who shared his love of the lord and family. I was honored when he agreed to walk my widowed mother down the aisle at my wedding 30 years later.
He would call my mother every day with the familiar refrain “Hey Cecil!” Who Cecil was I never knew. I can only assume it was one of the neighborhood characters from their hometown of Dawson, named after the coal mine at the end of the street. They would talk for hours and his friendship gave her a joy that he would never know. She would often say “you don’t need friends when you have family”. I will miss him always.
Much love, Penni