David Anthony Lopez 72 of Chandler AZ passed away peacefully on Sunday May 17, 2026. David was born to Salvador and Virginia Lopez on May 28, 1953, in Safford, AZ. David attended primary through High school in Safford and graduated High school in 1971. He attended Eastern Arizona College for a year studying drafting and auto mechanics. While at EAC he met Val Oros and Art Montoya as they were coming out of a weightlifting class. They were walking to their hot rod cars; David asked them if they could help rebuild his 389 in his 1966 GTO. This started their friendship which has lasted a lifetime. David become more interested in the auto mechanic industry which started his career with Nevada Diesel Service, INC in Las Vegas Nevada from 05/1973 to 03/1991. He moved to Chandler AZ in 1991 and worked for Southwest Diesel & Electrical Corporation for 34 years and continued an additional 6 years following the Alliant Power acquisition in 2020. David served as the Arizona Service Manager, providing steady leadership, deep technical expertise, and consistent support to both customers and team members. David retired from Alliant Power on February 27, 2026. David's personal achievements and Associations were "Member of Rotary International Las Vegas Chapter, Board member of State of Nevada Board of Veterinarians, Board Member of Clark County School District Area Technical Trade Center Advisory Board, and Member of Association of Diesel Specialist".

David was an exceptionally neat and orderly person. He took great pride in maintaining structure and cleanliness. This meticulous care was perfectly highlighted by his beloved 1998 Ford F-150 which he bought brand new and cared for it so exceptionally well that when he recently sold it with over 400,000 miles it was still in remarkably good shape.

David possessed an extraordinary, sharp memory. He was the ultimate storyteller, gifted with the unique ability to recall names, places, dates and vivid details from years past. If you wanted to remember a specific moment, he was the man to ask. David called his favorite pastime "History tours" of the Gila Valley, mapping out the rich heritage of the region all the way from Sanchez to Eden.

When he wasn't working or exploring, David was in the kitchen. He was a great cook who took pride in preparing Sonoran-style cuisine. He was famous for his perfectly chopped salsa and beautiful garnishes. During the holidays he loved being around family and friends to share a bowl of his signature Menudo or a plate of his homemade tamales.

David was an avid outdoorsman. He loved the thrill of hunting and connecting with nature. He also was a passionate sports fan through and through. He was a huge NASCAR racing fan who loved the thrill of the track. He rarely missed a chance to cheer on the Phoenix Suns, the Arizona Diamondback, and beloved ASU Sun Devils.

Above all he was a deeply generous man who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. His loyalty to his friends was unwavering and his love for his family was his guiding light. David loved his two dogs, Pepsi who passed away a few years ago and Zinger who passed away a few months prior to David.

David was preceded in death by his father Salvador and Aunts and Uncles. He is survived by his mother Virginia Rios Lopez who just turned 104 years young. His brothers Danny (Ann, children Tyler, Lyndsey and DJ) Ruben (Martha, children Josh and Raquel) Sister Judi (Christian and grandson Nathaniel)

Services will be held on Saturday June 27, 2026, at St Rose of Lima Catholic church 311 Central Ave, Safford AZ 85546 at 9:00-9:30am Eulogy, 9:30-10:00 Rosary, 10:00-11:00 Mass, followed by burial at Gila Valley Memorial Gardens 510 E. Airport Rd. Safford Az. A reception will follow at the Solomon American Legion 129 S. 3rd Avenue Solomon AZ