New Iberia - Funeral services will be conducted for Mr. Joseph "Joe" Lopez, 82, on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church with Father Barry Crochet officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites. Visitation will be on Friday, March 21, 2014, from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM and resume on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at 8:00 AM until services. A rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Friday at 7:00 PM. Born in Iberia Parish, Mr. Lopez was a lifelong resident of New Iberia. He retired from Morton Salt and was a Veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in the U. S. Army. In the year 2000 he was a recipient of the Pioneer Award from the Cajun French Music Association, in 2001 he was recognized for promoting and preserving Cajun French Music by the Les Cadiens of the Teche, in 2002 he was Inducted into the "Order of Living Legends" at the Erath Acadian Museum, in 2003 he was presented with the Presidential Musicians Award by the CFMA and in 2005 he was inducted into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame. He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 3425 and served for many years as an Usher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. He also received many letters of commendation and appreciation for his continuous promotion of the Cajun music culture. He is survived by his wife Dorita Bonin Lopez of New Iberia; his sons, Harold Lopez of Coteau, Lonnie Lopez and Keith Lopez and his wife Mirtha all of New Iberia; his daughter, Julie Fremin and her husband Kyle of Coteau; his grandchildren, Nicole Boudreaux, Cheree Schouest, Calley Finley, Seth Lopez, Scott Haydel, Ryan Haydel, Christopher Haydel, Blake Lopez, Brittany Lopez, Zach Lopez and Evan Lopez; 13 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clemire Lopez, Sr. and Elda Porrier Lopez; his daughter, Donna Haydel; his brothers, Clemire Lopez, Sr., Gene Lopez and Sylvester Lopez and his sisters, Edia Larive, Lena Labiche, Lucy Dugan, Mary Bonin, Dorothy Migues, Bertha Valenti, Camellia Charpentier and Verna Mae Myers. Pallbearers will be Harold Lopez, Lonnie Lopez, Keith Lopez, Kyle Fremin, Scott Haydel, Christopher Haydel, Zach Lopez and Evan Lopez. Honorary pallbearers will be Ladd Myers, Seth Lopez, Ryan Haydel, Leroy Champagne and Sebastian Fremin. The family would like to give a special thank you to Brenda Stevens, Gayle Thorne, Donna Lopez, Jessica Babineaux, Leah and Karen with Hospice Comapssus. You can sign the guest register book and / or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. (337) 369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.
