Gerald "Jerry" John Lopes

Jerry (Gerald) Lopes, born on August 27, 1935, at West View Ranch in Lincoln, California, and died December 20, 2024, at his home in Fair Oaks, California. Jerry is preceded in death by his Portuguese parents Maria and Joaquim Lopes who immigrated here from the Azores Islands. He is survived by his wife Germaine (Marsh) Lopes; his children Janet (John McMillan), David (Crystal), John (Debby) and Tom (Joyce); grandchildren Ian McMillan, Erik Lopes (Claudia), Alice Le (Don), Ryan Lopes, Amanda Lopes and Nicole Lopes; great-granddaughter Bridget Lopes; and many nieces and nephews. 

After growing up on a fruit ranch in Loomis, California, Jerry received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Sacramento State College in 1957 and 1969, respectively. He began teaching music in 1957 throughout the Grant Joint Union High School District and at summer music programs in the San Juan Unified School District. In addition, he was an adjudicator for the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) at music festivals throughout the state of California. He was honored by CMEA Capitol Section as outstanding music educator of the year in 1992

Jerry had a long career as a professional musician in the Sacramento area and was a proud lifetime member of Sacramento Musicians Union, Local #12. Some of the groups that he performed with include the Sacramento Symphony, Camellia Symphony, Sacramento Youth Symphony (assistant director), Sutterville Stompers Jazz Band, Dr. Bach and Jazz Practitioners, Sacramento Municipal Band, California State Fair Band and Orchestra, Sacramento Eaglet Theater (musical director), Music Circus Orchestra, and he was a vision in lederhosen at Octoberfest at the Sacramento Turnverein.

Over the years Jerry served his professional community as president of Grant District Educators Association, Grant District Music Educators Association, Capitol Section California Music Educators Association, California Orchestra Directors Association. He was also active with the Music Educators National Conference, Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society and the Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band Association.

After retiring as a teacher in 1995, Jerry began his second career as a conductor of Capitol Pops Concert Band through 2014 and the Sacramento Ben Ali Shrine Band, which he conducted until October 2024. He also conducted American River College Orchestra from 1998 to 2012. Jerry’s musical career included tours to Europe, Russia, China, and Australia as conductor with Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band Association and the Sacramento Youth Symphony.

Jerry will be remembered by our family for enriching our lives through music and for his eclectic and enthusiastic curiosity. He showed his love by arranging music for his grandchildren’s Neighborhood Christmas Band, his granddaughter’s COVID graduation band, creating movies for all our family vacations, and serving up pancakes to his grandchildren on family camping trips. Jerry’s life was filled with music, family, and many friends. He will be greatly missed. In our hearts, he will always be the one to “Strike Up the Band”.

Donations can be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Donate to Shriners Hospitals for Children®

 A Celebration of Life will be held on February 1, 2025, at 1:30 pm. Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, 2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento, CA