Luis Rivera

Luis Rivera was born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 8th, 1959, where he was raised until he enlisted in the Army on July 11, 1978 and served until July 10, 1981. A year later, he enlisted in the Air force on July 16, 1982 where he served until November 14, 1986 and received an honorable discharge from both military branches. While stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas, he met his future bride, Janine. They were married on November 6, 1982 and last November, celebrated 41 years of marriage. During those years, they were blessed with 8 wonderful children, 3 son-in-laws, 2 daughter-in-laws, and 20 grandchildren.

Always being a hard worker, if he didn’t know how to do something, he found a way to figure it out. He was a do-it-yourselfer which included a variety of different trades, owned his own lawn business for several years, and his last job included working as a correctional officer in El Dorado, Kansas. With all of this, he was known for treating the people he served with dignity and respect.

He accepted the Lord as his Savior while in a Bible camp during his teen years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also had bee hives at different times through the years and enjoyed the process of collecting bee swarms, introducing them to the hives, and harvesting honey. We remember dad and his love of antiques, vinyl records, oldie music, oil lamps, and his classic wardrobe of white t-shirt, stonewashed jeans, blue and white bandana, and work boots.

He was always willing to help people in times of need. This included if someone needed a ride, a driver in need of assistance having car issues, and helping neighbors with yard work. He would tell them if they were in a position to help someone to “pay it forward.”

In his later years, mom and dad would share the Bible passages that they were reading through and what that meant to them.

Life was not always easy for Luis, but he always persevered and found a way to navigate the challenges.

Luis passed on January 8, 2024 at the age of 64 in El Dorado, Kansas with a life full of gratitude for his Savior, family, and friends.

He is survived by his bride, Jewell “Janine” Rivera; children: Valerie (Richard) Nelson, Luis “Carlos” (Becca) Rivera, Veronica (Andy) Thayer, Valencia (Vic) Collins, Victoria Rivera, Caleb (Sade) Rivera, Joel Rivera and Rachel Rivera; grandchildren: Marcus Perez, Colton Nelson, Serenity Nelson, Ember Nelson, Rylee Nelson, Sophia Rivera, Norah Rivera, Caiden Rivera, Rocco Thayer, Sayid Thayer, Avalon Thayer, Sterling Thayer; Kalmin Thayer, Farika Thayer, Kyler Apley, Weston Apley, Valencia Collins, Noah Rivera, Jaxson Rivera, and Sonny Rivera; and brothers: Albert Rivera and John Rivera.

A visitation for Luis will be held Monday, January 22, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and a funeral service will occur Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 10:00 AM, both at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, KS 67209. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, January 23, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Winfield Veteran Cemetery, 1208 North College Street, Winfield, KS 67156.