Jesus Rivas, Sr.

Jesus Nazareo Rivas Sr. was born June 12, 1959 to Esteban Rivas and Petra Rodriguez in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He was raised an only child and began learning what hard work was at the early age of six. Jesus would go to work with his father, stomping in mud pits where mortar was made to create bricks, then he would carry buckets of mud over to the brick makers. He was doing his part to help his mother.

At the age of 14 he had the opportunity to come to the United States on a student visa. He came to live with his aunt and uncle, and attended Burbank High School in San Antonio, Texas. While in school he was a member of the JROTC drill team and would attend competitions. Jesus also worked while he was in school. He worked in a Mexican food restaurant, where he started as a dishwasher, and by the age of 16 was trusted with managing one of the many restaurants his bosses owned. Working all those years in the restaurants he gained incredible cooking skills. Anything he cooked, he made with such ease and it was delicious!

At the age of 17, while working at Lupita’s Restaurant, he met Adelina Garcia. He said he knew she was the one because every time she would enter the room he had butterflies in his stomach. Shortly after meeting they became boyfriend and girlfriend. Jesus loved and raised Adelina’s two oldest children Jessica and George, and together they had an additional three, Juliette, Jesus Jr. (Jesse) and Jennie. Jesus and Adelina were together 45 years and married for 40 years. He mentioned more than once that he never stopped having butterflies when he would see his wife, his first and only girlfriend. During their time together Jesus and Adelina would work together for many years. They became master merchants for Church’s Chicken franchises they would help run for their friends.

This task would bring them to Arizona in 1985, bringing along their family of seven. Before moving to Arizona, Jesus and Adelina joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They would raise their children in the church, and were sealed for time and all eternity on Nov. 22, 1987. Jesus later worked in construction, and was part of the surveying team that built the new bridge going into Apache Junction. Jesus worked on continuing his education while working in the copper mines, then changing careers once again. He graduated from Eastern Arizona College, and began work as a case manager for DES. He was later hired on at Horizon, where he helped to rehabilitate special needs individuals.

Jesus lived a life of service. He served in many church callings throughout his life. Being responsible for the missionaries in his area, he made sure all the young men and women serving were on track. He guided them, parented them and made sure they always had clean clothes and plenty to eat. He prayed daily for service opportunities.

He enjoyed playing and watching soccer. Jesus was an avid martial arts enthusiast. He loved all things Bruce Lee, Star Trek, old westerns and the Incredible Hulk.

Above all things he loved the Savior and his family.

Jesus is preceded in death by his parents Esteban Rivas and Petra Rodriguez, daughter Jessica Rivas and son George Rivas.

He is survived by his wife Adelina Garcia Rivas of Globe, Az.; daughters Juliette Rivas and Jennie Hernandez (Marc), both of San Antonio, Texas; son Jesus Rivas Jr., of Mesa, Az.; and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Sat. Aug. 21, 2021.

Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe.