Jose Gilberto López

May 20, 1940 - July 18, 2016

Jose Gilberto Lopez age 76 passed away on July 18, 2016 in Provo, Utah due to complications from kidney failure. He was born May 20, 1940 in Guatemala City, Guatemala to Gilberto and Virginia Monterroso Lopez. He married Merlyn Lawton in 1965 and they were later divorced. Joe came to America from Guatemala and attended Brigham Young University for 2 1/2 years before he was drafted into the Marine Corp and subsequently was sent to serve in the Vietnam War. During his service in Vietnam he was awarded the Navy Cross for Extreme Valor shown in combat, the Silver Star for Heroism, and two purple Heart Medals. He also received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation and also the Combat Marksmanship Badge. He was an accomplished construction worker, the profession from which he retired. He thoroughly enjoyed plants and gardening in his retired years. He is survived by a daughter, Elisa (Kelly) Goforth of Provo, UT, and Grandchildren Riah Goforth, Judson Goforth, Skyler Goforth and a Great Grandson Quyntin Goforth. He is also survived by a sister Ruth (John) Anderson Salt Lake City, brother Rudy (Bertha) Lopez Guatemala, brother Efrain (Lidia) Lopez Guatemala. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by both parents and 2 nephews. We wish to thank all the Staff at Davita Dialysis for their patience and care during the last 2 1/2 years. We also wish to thank the Nursing Staff at Utah Valley Rehabilitation Care Center. There will be an informal Memorial at the LDS Church located at 1560 S. 1100 W. in Provo, UT, in the Relief Society Room, on Thursday 28 July 2016 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Interment will be at a later date in Guatemala.