Prisciliano Rivera

Prisciliano “Preston” Rivera, 101 years old of Midland, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Preston was born in Ft. McKavett, TX on January 4, 1923 to Elisa Hernandez Rivera and Ramon Rivera. He grew up with two brothers, Santiago and Luis.

Preston’s early life in Ft. McKavett involved him working as a farm and ranch hand until he joined the Army on February 9, 1943.

After his discharge from the Army on November 10, 1945, Preston returned to Ft. McKavett and resumed working as a farm and ranch hand. He met a beautiful young lady by the name of Barbara Rodriguez, and they were married on December 2, 1950. Their union was blessed with three children Benjamin, Samuel and Ema.

As a family man Preston switched from farm and ranch hand to preparing wheat fields for harvest in Plains, Kansas. After a couple of years, he moved the family to Midland because of more job opportunities. He had a variety of jobs in Midland. His first job was a maintenance man at the Kingsway Motel, he was there for several years and then went on to work for a mobile home manufacturer. He then worked as a plumber’s assistant for C.A. Gray Plumbing until his retirement.

During his working and retirement years he enjoyed going fishing, watching TV classics like Andy Griffith and Gun Smoke but his most favorite past time was watching all the Atlanta Braves baseball games.

Throughout his lifetime, Preston was a humble, hard-working man of simple tastes. He loved all of his family and was blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, they affectionally called him “Welo”.

Preston is preceded in death by his parents, brothers and son, Benjamin.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Barbara, his son Samuel Rivera (Martina) and daughter Ema, all of Midland, TX; grandchildren, Adrian, Ben Jr., Luis (Amy), Joseph, Kristina (Ronald), Patricia, Nick (Blessing); great-grandchildren, Mathias (Heather), Ashley, Alex, Aaron, A.J., Devan, Noah, Brianna, Alyssa, Abigail, Samantha, Sidney, Emma and Silas; great-great grandchildren, Jayden, Corrine, Rowan and Winrey.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 24 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and Shrine followed by interment at Resthaven Memorial Park. Pallbearers are: Adrian Rivera, Ben Rivera, Jr., Luis Rivera, Joseph Rivera, Nick Rivera and A.J. Sanchez.

The family would like to express their gratitude to his VA medical team, especially for all their care and support; Mauri Cauthen of Visiting Angels and Hospice of Midland for their care, support and compassion.