Gilbert B.

Lopez, Jr.

Gilbert (Gil) Barrera Lopez, Jr passed away unexpectedly, surrounded by loved ones, on July 29th, 2022. He was born on August 17, 1968 and devoted his life to helping individuals and the community heal from the effects of trauma. He loved and supported his family and friends. Gil is remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend whose devotion to his passion for helping others was superseded by the love he had for his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Jane Bodenhamer-Lopez and his parents, Beatriz Barrera Lopez and Gilbert Lopez, Sr. He leaves behind his son, Justin Gilbert Lopez and his family, sister Becky Stirzaker (Tom), his sister Rosie Aguilar, and his niece, Jacqueline Munguia (Shad) and their children Jonathan and Scarlett Rose and his life friend Norma Villanueva. He also leaves behind numerous relatives and countless friends who will all dearly miss him.

Gil was born and educated in Harlingen, TX and from a young age, showed an aptitude and talent for baseball, music, and helping others in need. He was a star pitcher of an award-winning little league team, and as a teenager was a drummer in a rock band. After graduating from Harlingen High School, Gil joined the US Air Force. While in the Air Force, he earned recognitions for his ability to be a leader and also improve important budgets. He became an avid fisherman who competed and won several fishing competitions and whenever he could not be found on the water, he could be found on the golf course as he was also an avid golfer.

Gil co-founded and was the Executive Director of the Nueva Luz Foundation, a non-profit organization that assures those affected by trauma and PTSD will have family-based, respectful and effective interventions. He created the slogans, "Understand, Cope and Prevail" and "Don't Just Treat... Educate" to be the guiding principles of the agency.

His son and family wish to thank Gil's friends and peers who enriched his life. God bless you all. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 5th from 5pm-8pm and the funeral services will be on Saturday, August 6th at 10am at Trinity Funeral Home located at 1002 E. Harrison Ave., Harlingen, TX 78550. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be sent to the Nueva Luz Foundation to help continue Gilbert Lopez's life work. Please visit www.nuevaluzfoundation.org/donation/