Rev. Dr. Hugo Luciano Lopez, age 85, of Wilmington passed away Friday, April 3, 2015 at Autumn Care of Myrtle Grove in the warm embrace of his two remaining daughters.
He was born on January 16, 1930 in Santiago, Chile to the late Ismael Lopez and Luz Mendoza de Lopez. He was one of four siblings, the late Ruth Ester, and his two surviving brothers Carlos and Mario.
He is survived by Hilda, his loving wife of 62 years, his daughter Viviana and her husband Ricardo, and his youngest daughter Doris.
He is preceded in death by his oldest daughter Diana.
In Chile he was a High School English teacher and served in the United Methodist Church as a deacon. In 1970 at the age of 40, he brought his wife and three daughters to the United States from Chile where he completed his studies to become a minister in the United Methodist Church. He received his Bachelors and Masters of Art degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL and his Doctorate of Theology from Garrett Theological Seminary in Naperville, IL. He served various appointments in the Central Illinois Conference including in the Hispanic community. From 1982-1986, he was appointed as an editor for the Hispanic Resources for the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, TN.
He retired in 1995 and continued dedicating his time to ministering within the Hispanic community as well as being the visitation minister and a Sunday School teacher for Grace United Methodist Church for several years.
In his youth he enjoyed participating in various sports. He was also an avid writer and story-teller. You could always find Hugo with a writing journal and a book to read along with a Bible close at hand. Ministering and teaching were his two passions of which he dedicated so much of his life.
A Memorial Service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 401 Grace St. Wilmington NC, 28401, on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation directly after the service.