Douglas Donald Lopas

Doug Lopas, age 54, passed away at his home in Orlando, surrounded by his family on Saturday, November 19, 2016. He was born on May 18, 1962 in Appleton, Wisconsin to Donald and Darlene Lopas. Doug celebrated 29 years of marriage with his best friend, Katie (Geenen) and was blessed with two amazing children, Skylar and Courtney. Doug loved competition of any kind, even games he would make up to play with the kids. He enjoyed long walks on the beach, watching his kids play sports, listening to Alice Cooper, and decorating his house for Christmas. Doug was an amazing athlete excelling in basketball and baseball. He always strived to stay at the top of his game, taking pride in the fact he could still compete with Skylar and his buddies when they stopped by to play basketball. Doug worked as the head groundskeeper at Tinker Field for the Minnesota Twins and ended his career at Space Coast Stadium with the Washington Nationals. Those who knew him and worked for him describe his work ethic as second to none. People at all levels of baseball talked respectfully about Doug. Those who worked under his leadership highly esteemed and loved working for Doug, and he treasured “his guys,” too. Left to honor Doug and remember his love are his wife Katie, his two children Skylar and Courtney Lopas, his mother Darlene Lopas, sister Kris Rau (Tim), brothers Greg Lopas (Kim), Ken Lopas (Jenny), Barney Lopas (Lori), nephews Scott Weeman(Jacqueline), Adam Weeman(Jessie), James Rau, Logan Lopas, and Gunnar Lopas, nieces Cassie Lopas and Justine Lopas. Mother-in law, Char Geenen, Sister-in-laws, Julie(Jim) Neubert, Janette(Eric) Landis, Mary(Victoria) Geenen. Doug was proceeded in death by his father Donald Lopas, father-in-law David Geenen and his grandparents , Art and Dorothy Van Handel and Jerry and Toni Grissman. Doug will be remembered as a deeply devoted father and husband who always provided and took care of his family before himself. His celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Fraternal Order of Police Orlando Lodge 25, 5505 Hansel Ave., Orlando, FL 32809. The family will greet friends beginning at 3:00 p.m. followed by a ceremony at 5:00 p.m. The Lopas family would like to extend their gratitude to the family, friends and neighbors that generously lent a helping hand as Doug fought his brave battle. A special thanks to both Doug and Katie’s mothers for all their help and selfless gifts of time and love right to the end. There were very few opponents that Doug could not beat, but after a courageous battle with cancer, he ran out of time. Flowers may be delivered to the Fraternal Order of Police Orlando Lodge 25 Saturday between 10-3, donations may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research (http://www.jimmyv.org/get-involved/donate/) at 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513 or Vitas Hospice (https://www.vitas.com/community-connection) 2201 Lucien Way, Suite 100, Maitland, FL 32751

Douglas Donald Lopas

May 18, 1962 - November 19, 2016