April 29, 1935 - December 08, 2020
George D. Lopata (Duke) of Loveland, Colorado, peacefully passed away of COVID on December 8, 2020.
Duke was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 29, 1935 to Vivian (Smith) Lopata and George John Lopata. Along with older sister Carol and younger brother John, Duke grew up in Chicago before meeting and marrying Mary (Meyer) Lopata, his wife of 60 years, who preceded him in death in 2016.
In addition to getting married in 1956, Duke also began his electrical apprenticeship with IBEW Local 134 in Chicago. Four years later, he became a journeyman electrician and over 14 years, practiced his lifelong trade while working on many of Chicagoland’s signature buildings. While in the Chicago area between 1956 and 1970, Duke and Mary migrated from the city to the suburbs of Arlington Heights and finally, Mt. Prospect. It was during this time that Duke’s four boys were born, Michael Dennis in 1956, Kenneth Dean in 1958, Gregory George in 1961, and Alan Paul in 1962. During this time, Duke found time to coach Little League baseball teams, perform with several drum and bugle corps bands, and along with Mary, actively competed in bowling leagues almost every Friday evening. Duke was an avid Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks fan and was proud of his countless, successful attempts to sneak into the bleachers at Wrigley Field when he should have been attending school.
After the Chicago riots in 1968 and the huge snows and epic Cubs meltdown in 1969, in 1970, Duke and family moved west to Evergreen, Colorado. The Denver area was booming at that time and Duke was able to transfer and immediately go to work for IBEW Local 68 in Denver. Having fallen in love with the mountains and small-town feel of Evergreen at that time, Duke and Mary decided to locate there, even though it meant Duke’s traveling up and down I-70 or Hwy 285 each workday. During this time, while working on many of Denver’s landmark buildings, and beginning with the custom home the family first moved into, Duke and Mary worked hand in hand to successfully design, build, and sell custom homes in the mountain towns of Evergreen and Conifer.
Following his retirement from the IBEW, Duke spent time with Mary in various Colorado locations and Mary’s hometown in Northern Wisconsin. During this time, he formed a small, electrical contracting company and completed many electrical and telecom related projects while he and Mary continued to develop, build, and sell residential properties. In 2006, Duke and Mary moved to Loveland and very happily resided there the remainder of their lives.
In addition to Duke’s proud affiliation with the IBEW over his entire adult life, Duke loved to eat, read, and was well versed in WWII history. From an early age, he was a huge sports fan and while being a lifelong Cubs fan, avidly followed his adopted Rockies, Avalanche, Broncos, and Nuggets.
Duke often acknowledged that he had lived an active and rewarding life. While typically very quiet and reserved, he was loved by all and extremely proud of the life he led; the things he’d done; the person and example he was; and especially, the family he’d raised and provided for. His work ethic and his desire and need to pack his lunch pail and show up for work each and every day has been instilled in all his boys and through them, to Duke’s grandchildren. As we end 2020, without question, the highpoints of the year involved Duke being able to meet and hold his third and fourth great-grandchildren.
Survivors of this loved and appreciated man, husband, and father, include his:
Brother John Smith Lopata (Kathie) of Buckeye, Arizona; Son Michael Dennis Lopata and daughter-in-law Laura Sullivan Lopata of Kent, Washington; son Kenneth Dean Lopata and daughter-in-law Suzanne Lynn Lopata of Littleton, Colorado; son Gregory George Lopata and daughter-in-law Lisa Louise Lopata of Maple Valley, Washington; son Alan Paul Lopata and daughter-in-law Barbara Ellen Lopata of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren Michael Lopata; David Lopata; Jonathan Lopata (Kelly); Brian Lopata (Tiffany); Lindsey Leavitt (Jordan); Michelle Lopata; Bridgett Lopata; Heather Fuchs (Brenton); great-grandchildren Noah Leavitt; Judah Leavitt; (little) Duke Lopata; Raelynn Fuchs; and Janice Soukup, who provided companionship and much happiness to Duke in the years since Mary’s death.
Due to COVID restrictions and our inability to gather safely and responsibly at this time, a celebration of Duke’s life will be held at the Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home, 1102 Lincoln Avenue, Loveland, Colorado, 80537 at some point in 2021. Details will be provided at a later time. In lieu of sending any gifts or flowers, we ask that you express your generosity by donating in Duke’s name to the Loveland Lions Club, where Duke was an active member and past President.
