Epimenio Ogas Lopez 9-26-2024 Sun City, CA – Epimenio Ogas Lopez, age 90, passed away peacefully on Sept. 26, 2024, from age related health complications. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend to everyone. Epi, as he preferred to be called, was born on March 24, 1934, to Manual and Carmel Lopez, in an adobe house in Gila, New Mexico. He was the seventh of 11 children. He treasured the love and closeness of his extended family throughout his life. During his youth, his family relocated to Safford, Arizona, because of a severe drought known as the Dust Bowl that adversely impacted their farm’s livelihood. As Epi grew older, he spent summers with an older brother in the San Fernando Valley, where he enjoyed working at golf course resort that enabled him to meet movie stars and many girls his age. He embraced the Southern California culture and later chose to make it his permanent home. Determined to follow his family’s strong tradition of military service, Epi enlisted in the United States Air Force while still a teenager. He was drawn to the newly formed military branch because of its blue colored uniforms. After basic training, he was stationed at March Air Force Base in Southern California, where he met the love of his life, Corina Romero. After a brief courtship, they were married in Perris, California, on October 9, 1954. His young bride later joined him after he was transferred to Burtonwood Air Force Base, England. Epi worked in the Motor Pool transporting troops and supplies to other bases throughout the country. They welcomed their first son Pimmie while stationed in England. After his enlistment ended, Epi worked in highway construction in Riverside County, California, when he and Corina welcomed their second son, George, who was named after the doctor that delivered him. The GI Bill enabled Epi to receive vocational training in San Diego, California. Upon completion of barber school, he accepted a position at Kendall’s Barber Shop in Lompoc, California. He and Corina raised their two sons in the beautiful Lompoc Valley until they left for college. Because Epi was particularly outgoing, he became involved in various trade and community organizations, and eventually pursued a sales opportunity at Sunset Chevrolet in Lompoc. He soon became a top salesman and enjoyed sharing his vast knowledge of automobiles and their features with his customers. Epi and Corina later relocated to Sun City, California, to be closer to their sons after they completed college and started families of their own. It was there that Epi embraced the opportunity to help his son George and daughter-in-law Jane, with their growing furniture business. He used his natural salesmanship and Spanish speaking fluency while spending more time with family members. It was noticeably one of the happiest times in his life. Epi is survived by his loving wife, Corina, two sons, special daughter-in-law, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and 10 siblings. He was larger than life and considered a presence to everyone. He was quick with a smile and endeavored to make others laugh and feel better about themselves. His love, influence and sacrifices for his family will never be forgotten and have a permanent place in our hearts. Our family is beyond grateful to the homecare and hospice professionals that brought cheerfulness to dad every day and treated him with the utmost dignity and compassion. They were a strength to our entire family and not just dad!