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Ronald Eugene Williams Lopez, creator of magazine columns highlighting people of color in Hawaii, died Sept. 2 in Lake Chapala, Mexico.
He was 83.
Lopez moved to Oahu in 1981, working in sales and advertising for Trade Publishing and establishing Ron/Glo & Associates of Hawaii, which branded columns and publications such as Afro-Hawaii, Afro-Filipino Hawaii, Latin Hawaii and Mahogany. He began his career in Southern California in the entertainment industry in advertising, public relations and publishing throughout Hollywood. He was the original creator of the Los Angeles magazine LA Woman.
Lopez was born in Columbus, Ohio. He and his siblings — older brother Adolphus Lee and sister Anita — were raised during a time when minorities had to fight to succeed, and he took pride in his Irish and African-American ancestry. After graduating high school, he served in the Air Force from 1954 to 1958 before settling in California. He was known for his athletic achievements and love of ballroom dancing.
Even though he ultimately settled in Lake Chapala, his passion and drive still led him to travel to Hawaii to hand-deliver Mahogany to his patrons and subscribers.
Lopez is survived by daughters Stephanie, Robin, and Makesha “Mex”; son Kent; sister Anita Lucas; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; and nieces.
A celebration of life in Honolulu is planned for January.
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