Indianapolis sinking survivor Sam Lopez passes away

Sam Lopez, Sr., who survived four days in shark-infested water after the Japanese sank the USS Indianapolis, passed away Tuesday, March 20.

Sam Lopez, Sr.

Sam was among only 22 alive who endured the 1945 sinking. 900 men floated in the ocean for four days until they were discovered by accident when a Navy PBY search and rescue plane piloted by Hoosier Adrian Marks discovered them floating in the ocean.  

By then, only 317 men still were alive. 880 of the crew died.

The USS Indianapolis was returning from delivering components for the atomic bomb that later struck Hiroshima when it was torpedoed. Because it was a super-secret mission, no one knew where the ship was headed or that it sank.

Sam’s daughter is Monongah High Alumni Association president Linda Lopez Gandy. Linda’s brother,  Sam Lopez Jr., lives in Fairmont.

Sailor Sam

Linda posted this poignant tribute to her father:

“With a heavy heart I write this. My dad passed away this morning. He was 93; he lived a good life.

“He enjoyed his retirement years, going to WVU football and basketball games with his buddy Frank Pulice. He never missed a Navy reunion until the last few years when his health started failing.

“May he rest in peace.”

I second that emotion.

Sam's wife, Joanne Vandetta Lopez, daughter of Frank and Olga Grandoni Vandetta, passed away in 2012.

Sam’s obituary:

Sam Lopez

September 27, 1924 - March 20, 2018

Sam Lopez, 93, of Monongah, passed away March 20, 2018 at Fairmont Regional Medical Center. He was born September 27, 1924 in Shinnston, son of the late Pete and Maryl Oliverio Lopez.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Vandetta Lopez on July 22, 2012.

Sam proudly served his country in the US Navy aboard the USS Indianapolis, one of the 317 survivors of one of the worst naval disasters. He is also a Purple Heart Recipient.

He attended Shinnston High School and retired from Consolidation Coal Company as a shift foreman. He was a member of the mine rescue team that went into the Farmington mine disaster.

 

Sam was a lifetime member of the VFW 629 and the Fairmont Knights of Columbus. He was also an avid fan of the Mountaineers and New York Yankees.

 

He is survived by a daughter, Linda and James Gandy of Monongah; a son, Sam, Jr. and Linda Lopez of Fairmont; grandchildren, James and Joyce Gandy of Morgantown, Brian and Amy Gandy of Fairmont, Shawn and Shannon Lopez of Shinnston, Shane Lopez of Shinnston; several great and great-great grandchildren; sisters, Marianne Secreto and Carolyn Roussin; a brother, Frank Lopez, all from Michigan; several nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Fannie Vandetta; and a close friend, Frank Pulice.

He is preceded in death by his brothers, Tony, Joe, Pete Jr., Dominic, Louis, and John; and sisters, Connie and Rose.

The family would like to give special thanks to Sheila Blake and Fazio’s Elder Care.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont on Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. with Father Vincent Joseph officiating. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery where full military rights will be conducted by the Marion County Veterans’ Council. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .