(Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
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Trevor with his dad Mike (Family Photo)
Trevor Lopez was a bright young man and, like a lot of boys, Trevor grew up playing Little League in a typical neighborhood park. Trevor was forever an All-Star in the Flowing Wells organization and, later, a master with the skate board.
He was 20-years-old and working towards a career in pharmacy when his life ended on Feb. 14 in a motorcycle accident on West Orange Grove. Tragically, his mother, Patti Lopez, was killed while riding her bicycle on North Camino de la Tierra in 2008 while riding home after watching one of Trevor’s baseball games at Curtis Park.
Trevor was his father’s best friend. Literally. When Mike Lopez married Megan last October Trevor was the obvious Best Man.
“He was passionate,” Mike told me during the Flowing Wells Opening Ceremonies held Saturday at Curtis Park.
“He was an Arizona scholar and he worked hard. He was a pharmacy tech and he wanted to be a pharmacist.”
Mike and Trevor grew up together, father and son, on the baseball fields of Southern Arizona. Mike, the dad, the
Trevor, the Best Man (Family Photo)
coach and the Little League volunteer and Trevor, the son and the player.
But Mike wasn’t only loved by his family, he was loved by hundreds and hundreds showed up at his services. Former principals, teachers and classmates from elementary to high school paid the family a visit on one of the darkest days a parent can have. Should never have.
He was also loved by former coaches and former teammates.
He was honored with a moment of silence on Saturday and the various T-Ball teams from Flowing Wells released balloons, not only to help remember Trevor, but to open up the Little League season. Mike, Megan and Trevor’s sister Melissa joined in.
Mike threw out the first pitch on opening day of the Canyon View Little League two weeks ago, and one of the T-Ball teams from that league will be wearing “T-Rex” jerseys in honor of Trevor.
Baggy pants, big gloves and hats pulled to the side signals eternal life through a sport Trevor loved.
Trevor’s family gathered to help release balloons. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
