Lorenzo Martin Chapa

BURLEY – On January 25, 2020, Lorenzo Martin Chapa, 27, decided that he was needed somewhere else.

He was born in Burley, Idaho, May 11, 1992, to Alcario “Al” Martinez Chapa Jr. and Lori McCuistion Chapa. He was anxiously greeted by four brothers and two sisters. Lorenzo attended Burley High School, where he played football. He attended Cassia High School, graduating with the Class of 2010. After graduation, Lorenzo started working at Taco Bandido. He loved his co-workers, his boss, and, most of all, his customers. He moved to Oregon for a short time. While there, he visited the University of Oregon, where he became a fan of the Ducks, although briefly. He then moved to the Boise area, where he had since resided.

His true passion was with the Boise State Broncos, and his NFL team was the Dallas Cowboys. He went to as many Broncos games as he could and enjoyed every minute of them, even if it was in the nosebleed section. Lorenzo loved all genres of music, Reggae being his favorite. He was a music library and amazed us as to how many songs he could sing word for word. He had a beautiful voice and loved to share it with others. He went to many concerts and had all the ticket stubs to prove it. Additionally, Lorenzo was an avid reader and a talented artist.

Lorenzo had a strong respect for the military due to his father’s 26-year service in the U.S. Army and his deployment to Iraq. He wholeheartedly supported the troops and all of those who served our country.

Lorenzo worked at Pizza Hut and he was passionate about moving up in the franchise as far as he could go. He made a point of learning his customers names; and he did. He greeted each of them with his big, warm smile and they would always smile back. They not only walked out with their pizza, but with a smile and a genuine, “Thank You.” He truly enjoyed giving discounts to the military personnel.

Lorenzo made friends wherever he went. His contagious, warm, and inviting smile opened the door to many friendships. He cherished each and every one. Lorenzo loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews. They would wait in anticipation when he would walk in the door and run to him as fast as they could. He would always be grinning when he saw them and was scooping them up.

Lorenzo is survived by his parents, Al and Lori Chapa; brothers, Albert (Shantae Potter) Hernandez, Estevan Chapa, Tony Chapa, and Rey (Ali Rogers) Chapa; sisters, Letticia “TC” (Ben) Godfrey, and Kira (Abel Ortega) Hernandez; paternal grandparents, Alcario Chapa and Leonora Arappagis; maternal grandparents, Arthur Lloyd “Buzz” and Betty McCuistion; nieces and nephews, Aubrey Simmons, Sophie “Soph” Godfrey, Ayden Chapa, Natalie and Brayden Randall, Nevaeh and Albert Ortega, and Audriana and Baylor Chapa; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his older brother, Alcario Chapa III; and his uncle, Craig McCuistion.

The family would like to show their appreciation and thank the Meridian Police Department, Meridian EMS, Sgt. Matt Parsons, the staff at St. Alphonsus Hospital, and, the team from Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank, for the care, compassion, and respect that they showed while caring for Lorenzo and his family.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 1, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Burley 4th Ward, located at 515 E. 16th St., in Burley. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, January 31, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday, preceding the service at the church.