Manuel Lopez, 91, of Orange, passed away on November 29, 2021, in Orange.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 2, 2021, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Father Joseph Daleo . Burial will follow at St. Mary Mausoleum in Orange.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Thursday, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange.

Born in Orange, Texas, on September 21, 1930, he was the son of John Lopez and Augstina Pachuca Lopez. Manuel was an athlete from an early age, and loved to stay active, in fact, he hardly ever sat still. He enjoyed working out and weight lifting every chance he got. Manuel was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and attended St. Mary Catholic Church for a number of years. For over 30 years he worked as a football official with SFOA. Manuel loved being surrounded by his family and reading western novels. He was incredibly loved during his time on Earth and will be deeply missed during his time in heaven.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Augustina Lopez; first wife, Lenora Lopez; and his eleven siblings.

He is survived by his loving wife, Frances Marcelle Droddy Lopez, PH.D.; children, James Lopez and wife Kim of Mauriceville, Jeanne Payne and husband Daniel of Dripping Springs, and Jeri Lynn Wolf and husband Harry of Harker Heights; grandchildren, Ashley Jackson, Torey Gomez, Jon Lopez, Eric Jacobs, Hunter Droddy and Alex Payne; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Roger Lopez of West Orange.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jon Lopez, Alex Payne, Hunter Droddy, Mark Benton, Jerry Droddy and Daniel Payne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary Catholic School Foundation or Southeast Texas Hospice.