Raul Lopez

Raul Lopez, 67, passed away on Jan. 30, 2024, in Bakersfield. He was born on March 2, 1956, in Mercedes, Texas, to Juan and Flavia Lopez.

Raul migrated to California at the age of 9 to Huron, Calif., later moving to Shafter, where he made Shafter his permanent residence.

Raul attended all the local Shafter schools. At a young age of 18 he went searching for jobs in various locations. Without any luck, Raul went to Buttonwillow Warehouse in Buttonwillow and asked for a job. Again, he was turned down until he told the manager, "How am I supposed to find a job if no one wants to take a chance on me?" He was hired. He worked at Buttonwillow Warehouse until he moved to Simplot, ending his working career at Nutrient, formally Crop Production.

He was an agricultural technician for 48 years until his illness made him retire.

Raul married the love of his life, Esther, at a very young age in 1974 in McFarland. They were happily married for 49 years.

Raul loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He also was known as the Tio that visited everyone: his brothers, his sisters, nephews, nieces, friends, co-workers. He had such a contagious smile and laughter, making everyone around him feel welcomed.

Raul is survived by his wife, Esther; his son Gabriel (Jessica); his son Reyes (Jenny) of Shafter; and his daughter Priscilla (Fred) of Bakersfield; his grandchildren Alexander, Alyssa, Alizabeth (Andy), Iliana, Raul, Gabriel, Reyleen, Natalie, Isaac, and Jaime (Alondra) from Shafter; Irene (Trinidad), Mariah, Alice, Freddy and JD from Bakersfield; his great grandchildren Vincent from Shafter and Olivia from Bakersfield; his siblings Estevan (Lupe) and Diana (Lupe) from Shafter; Josie (Bentura) from McFarland; Raquel (Adan) from Wasco; and Ramiro (Jackie) from Bakersfield; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Raul was preceded in death by his daughter Alicia; his parents, Juan and Flavia; his brothers Ruben, Fernando, Juan, Jose, Ricardo, Alejandro and his little sister Maria Isabel.

A funeral service will be held today, Thursday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church, 300 W. Lerdo Hwy., Shafter, followed by a graveside service at the Shafter Cemetery, 11 a.m.-12.p.m.