Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Couple celebrates 55 years of marriage

Submitted to El Defensor Chieftain

Angie and A.R. "Ben" Lopez have enjoyed a wonderful 55-year journey together., after Ben noticed a beautiful green-eyed brunette named Angie Griego in a diner in Santa Rosa, while working with the New Mexico Highway Department as an engineer.

The couple married Aug. 15, 1953, in Bernalillo.

Angie was born in Cuervo. She completed high school in Santa Rosa.

Ben was born and raised in Socorro. He graduated from high school and entered New Mexico Tech at age 17.

Ben's college education was interrupted by World War II, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought in the European campaign, including the Battle of the Bulge.

After an honorable discharge he returned to the U.S. and studied civil engineering at the University of New Mexico and at the University of Oklahoma.

The couple's journey has taken them to Wyoming, Utah, Iowa, South Dakota, Texas and all parts of New Mexico.

In 1959, they moved from Falls City, Texas, to Ben's hometown of Socorro, where they opened and operated White's Auto Store on California Street for many years. They continue their business endeavors with Lopez Home and Auto, and Kimo Self Storage.

The couple enjoyed raising their four children as well as many adventures in life. They stressed education and entrepreneurship to their children.

All of the children are graduates of Socorro High School and have attended college.

They have three sons, Martin III, an attorney and his wife, Elizabeth, of Albuquerque; Ralph, an engineer, and his wife, Linda, of Birmingham, Ala.; Carl, the owner/operator of Lopez Home and Auto and Kimo Self Storage, of Socorro; and a daughter, the late Margaret Lopez-Littell of Houston.

The couple has eight grandchildren and one great-grandson. Their grandchildren are: Alisa Lopez, of San Antonio, Texas; Martin Lopez IV, of Dallas; Trinky and Christopher Lopez, of Birmingham; Carlos Lopez, of Santa Fe; Erin and Jonathan Lopez, of Socorro; and Audrey Littell of Houston. Their great-grandson, Hayden Lopez, resides in Birmingham.

Members of the family say: "Mom and Dad are respected and loved very much by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandson, and have been great role models for us all."

The family wishes them a happy anniversary and planned a formal dinner to celebrate the event.

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