Rafael Rios

Rafael Rios, 90, formerly of Colorado City is together again with his loving wife in the arms of Jesus after passing away at Windcrest Nursing and Rehab Center of Abilene on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

He was born on February 17, 1929 in Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico to Pantaleon and Taide Rodriguez Rios.

By trade Rafael held many positions, but he spent over 20 years working hard at Bodine’s Dairy. He was a man who was strong in his faith, and strong in the power of love, of his God, his wife, and his family. He was a true servant of God, living his life according to his faith, humbled and prayerful, making sure to give the first 30 minutes of the day to praying to his Lord, after his wife passed he then devoted time after prayer to talk to her, as she was the love of his life. Rafael married Catalina Larez and together they remained just like newly-weds showing their love for one-another every day, and as time went on they learned to care for eachother. Once Catalina had to go to the nursing home Rafael was there, sun-up to sun-down, he gave her food when it was time, kept her skin soft and massaged away her pains, while always making sure that she could feel the strength of his love for her, he was the true embodiment of what a good husband should be.

Rafael had much to be proud of throughout life. He was proud to be a good husband, a good father, and a great grandfather. He was also proud to be called a United States Citizen, having passed the test and getting his citizenship certificate on July 4, 1996 in Lubbock, Texas. He could crack a joke with the best of them and enjoyed making people laugh. Rafael also had a green-thumb and was known for being able to make almost anything grow, which took a lot of patience, something he had mastered, and when it seemed like it was running out he would find something around the house (like sweeping the garage) to clear his head, then out would pop that patient, humbled man who was never heard uttering an obscenity by his children. His legacy for the love of God and Family is one that has been engrained deep in his families blood and will live on for generations to come.

Rafael is survived by his sons Jose Luis Rios of San Antonio and Jesus Miguel Rios and wife Rachell of Abilene, by his daughters Juanita Arispe and husband Ronnie of Colorado City, Susana Pierce and husband Don of Bedford Indiana, and Martha Lovett and husband Sam of Abilene, and by a sister Guadalupe Velasco of Santa Ana California. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 55 years Catalina Rios and by several brothers and sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rafael will be held at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 10th at 11 am with Father Michael Udegbunam officiating. The family will be present for a visitation in the Kiker Seale Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, December 9th from 5-7 pm with a rosary to be performed at 6 pm

Those wishing may share a memory with the family by visiting www.kikerseale.com

Pallbearers on Tuesday will be Luis Rios, Ronnie Arispe Sr., Ronnie Arispe Jr., Sam Lovett, Don Pierce, and Jalen Naylor.