Procession, Memorial, Funeral Details For Cpl. Hunter Lopez

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Details about the procession, memorial service and funeral this week for U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez of the Coachella Valley — who was killed in action August 26 — have been released by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The son of Riverside County Sheriff’s Captain Herman Lopez and Deputy Alicia Lopez, the Marine's body was flown home to Riverside County where he will be laid to rest Saturday. He was among 13 service members killed in last month's suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airportin Kabul, Afghanistan.

A procession for Lopez begins Thursday around 5:30 p.m., departing from Forest Lawn at 69855 E Ramon Road in Cathedral City. The procession will travel past Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station, 73705 Gerald Ford Drive, where members of the public are welcome to line the streets in support. The procession will end for the day at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 47225 Washington Street, in La Quinta.

Beginning at approximately 9 a.m. Friday, another procession will begin from St. Francis of Assisi and travel past the following schools that Lopez attended:

1. Amelia Earhart Elementary School: 45250 Dune Palms Road, Indio
2. John Glenn Middle School: 79655 Miles Avenue, Indio
3. La Quinta High School: 79255 Blackhawk Way, La Quinta

Once the procession is complete, Lopez will be returned to St. Francis of Assisi, where the public can attend a viewing from 12-7 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday, an 11 a.m. memorial service will be held at Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros. The convention center's Oasis room will be open to the public to watch the ceremony on large viewing screens. Maximum capacity of 1,000 public members will be allowed; face masks will be required inside the convention center. Public parking is located on Avenida Caballeros.

At the conclusion of the memorial service, a procession will travel to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, where Lopez will be laid to rest.

The sheriff's department asked that those who turn out for the processions remain on sidewalks and out of the roadways. The department, with the assistance of allied agencies, will block/divert traffic at all intersections and high-traffic areas.

"Please use alternate routes for any regular travel during these three days and time frames," the sheriff's department said.

According to a biography released by the sheriff's department, Lopez was born on January 15, 1999 in Palm Springs, and in his 22 years he dedicated his life to service and took pride in being part of organizations with rich traditions.

Prior to joining the Marine Corps, Lopez was a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Explorer Scout from 2014-2017 for Post 507, where he obtained the rank of captain.

Lopez served in the Marine Corps for four years — his first three years as part of the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company A, 5th Platoon, and most recently as a member of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Golf Company, 1st Platoon, 3rd Squad.

He was devoted to serving others and perfecting himself in order to be the best Explorer and Marine possible. Whether at work or at home, Lopez strived for perfection, seeking knowledge and experience from those he respected and admired, according to the bio.

When on leave, Lopez enjoyed being around family and friends and sharing his experiences with everyone. He lived life to the fullest and was often the reason why family and friends would bend over backward to get together when he was around, the bio continued.

Lopez was a history buff and had many aspirations to pursue after completing his service to the country, among those was being part of a shooting and firearms company with several friends — which is already underway — and becoming a deputy with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Always a fan of everything and anything Star Wars related, Lopez convinced countless friends, family and Marines to binge-watch movies and would often quiz them on Star Wars trivia, the bio said.

As a child, Lopez shied away from photographs and it was a challenge to get him to smile in most pictures. As an Explorer Scout and especially as a Marine, he seemed to flourish and developed an infectious smile and amazing personality, according to the bio.

He lived a full life in a short amount of time, impacted so many lives, and has left a lasting impression on family, friends, and his brothers and sisters in arms, the bio said.

Lopez is survived by his parents, Herman and Alicia, brother, Owen, and sister, Trinity.