Raymond Lopez passed away on Jan.16,2025, just days shy of his 78th birthday. He was born in Pennsylvania and went to Valley Forge Military Academy. At age 17 he forged his father’s’ signature to get into the Regular Army. His Military Occupation Specialty was Airborne Infantry Unassigned. He became a Sergeant in the Airborne Rangers and a dog handler. Ray did several tours in Vietnam (where he received his draft notice) and special assignments. He called the Army his “Travel Agent” because of the diversity it offered. His passion was teaching and training junior personnel.
In civilian life he was a Pennsylvania State Trooper, a Deputy Federal Marshal, and spent 20 years working as a Police Officer for the US Treasury Mint in Philadelphia. In 2002 he retired from federal service. He moved to Virginia where his wife, Donna, was working as a military subcontractor for the Marine Corps at Quantico. Ray eventually became a policeman in the Town of Quantico, located inside the base. Quantico was his dream job. He enjoyed taking care of the residents and the young Marines. Ray spoke many languages and seamlessly connected with the foreign students attending The Basic School.
