Lawrence "Lazo" Lopez Contreras

Lawrence Lopez Contreras “Lazo” was born to Juan Contreras and Emilia Lopez Contreras on August 18, 1937, in Globe Arizona. He came from a large family of 10 brothers and sisters. He passed away at his residence in Globe on February 13, 2025, he was 87 years old.

He attended Noftsger Hill Elementary, Hill Street Jr. High and Globe High School, he was a lifelong Tiger of the genuine variety. He grew up on Euclid Ave. surrounded by all of his lifelong buddies “The Termites” led by Benny Guerrero Sr. and his wife Gloria Sanchez Guerrero. He always said that Euclid was called tough street and the farther you went up the tougher it got, and he lived in the last house!

His passion for building model cars and airplanes led him to becoming a well known local car customizing painter and pinstriper. He also learned the art of sign lettering with the inspiration from local painter Howard Hinkle. After high school one of his first jobs was working for Joe DeAnda picking up produce in Phoenix and delivering to stores in the local Globe Miami area. He served his Country in the US Army Ready Reserve from 1958 to 1962 at the Southern California Base Ft. Ord.

He married a local Miami girl Evelyn Casillas after a love at first sight incident in Midland City. They were married on his birthday August 18, 1962. Their marriage of 13 years gave them two boys Lawrence Paul and Mark Anthony. He worked as a track foreman at the Magma underground mine in Superior from 1963 to 1973. He began working at Inspiration Copper in 1973 for Plant Services as a painter until his retirement from Cypress Copper. While putting in an 8 hour day at the mines he also had a side hustle of painting cars and signs in his backyard garage. After retirement he continued to do Sign work and painting jobs until his Son Paul took over the Sign business. His hobbies included building and flying his model air planes, having a few beers, telling a few jokes and enjoying visiting with friends old and new.

He shared his later years with his dear friend and companion Josie Rubalcava Hinderberger. They enjoyed 27 years together before she passed away on September 18, 2017. He loved music, especially Jazz, “Take Five” & Oldies “Just Because”, which were his favorite songs and he would play them for everyone. His passion was also watching his “Phoenix Suns”. He was a lifelong fan since they started playing at the Madhouse on McDowell, until their current lineup, he was never a fair-weather fan, he was always there to support “His Team”.

Lazo was preceded in death by his parents Juan Contreras, Emilia Lopez Contreras, siblings Alphonso, Edward, Richard “Dick”, Ernest, Helen Jimenez, Emilia Herrera, Consuelo “Connie” Ortega and his son Lawrence “Paul” Contreras. He is survived by his siblings Virgie Canizales (Pepper), Johnny (Jean), Esther (Rick) Sifuentes and Son Mark. As well as Grandsons Andrew (Amelia), Alex Contreras and Joaquin Gomez, Great Grandsons Andrew Jr. and Dominic, along with many Nieces and Nephews.

Services are as follows: Saturday March 29th at Holy Angels Catholic Church 9:30am Rosary 10:00am Mass 12:00 Luncheon @ Double J's 8209 S Six Shooter Canyon Rd.

Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe located at 328 S. Hill St., Globe, AZ. (928) 425-5491