Manuel M. Lopez; Lifelong Ojai Resident

Manuel M. Lopez, a seventh- generation Californian, died Thursday morning in Ojai after a lengthy illness. He was 80.

Lopez was born on June 17, 1919, in Ojai. He was a descendant of Rafael Lopez who homesteaded in Matilija Canyon in 1878.

During World War II, the Ojai resident served in the Army Air Corps as a medical evacuation technician.

An active member in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, he was one of its first appointed Eucharist ministers. He was also a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, No. 6012, and was a grand knight from 1970 to 1971. He was a member of the American Legion of Ojai Post, No. 0482; a past board member of the Boy Scouts in 1972; and active in Little League baseball from 1950 to 1963.

After retiring as a construction laborer and secretary treasurer for the Laborers and Hod Carriers Union No. 585, Lopez became an avid golfer and gardener. He was often seen working in his garden on Park Road in Ojai.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores, of Ojai; sons Marshall of Oak View, John of Colorado Springs, Colo., Christopher of Ventura and Michael of San Diego; daughters Anne M. Lopez of Ventura and Theresa Morgan of Oxnard; a brother, Eugene V. Lopez of Ventura; a sister, Mary S. Quijada of Ojai; and 12 grandchildren.

Viewing will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai.

Funeral Mass is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, with Rev. Bill Olivas officiating. Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Church.