Theodore R. Rivas

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dora Gomez Rivas and his father, Theodore Rivas Sr. He is survived by his partner of 20 years, Marsha Brand, his sister, Connie Rivas Patzak, his service dog, Ferrari and a large extended family of cousins that he loved very much.

Ted had a successful military career where he served in the US Army. He joined the National Guard at age 17 and spent the next 25 years working his way up to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer CWO-3. His job description was Missile Assembly Technician. His military education included, Electronics Maintenance Courses, Logistics Readiness Training and Instructor Training Courses. Military awards just to name a few included 2 Meritorious Service Medals and an Army Commendation Medal.

He was protective, gentle and funny and often had boy like qualities. Those who knew him during his military career noted that the men under his command respected him and knew him to be an honorable leader who could be trusted. It was not uncommon the hear “He was like a Big Brother to me.” When he was given a task no matter how large or how small he did it with perfection and wouldn’t stop until it was completed correctly. Organization was one of his strengths. He considered his military career to be a sacred duty that allowed the nation to remain safe from harm.

He had a whimsical sense of humor and was always mugging and making funny faces when his picture was being taken. He came by his musical ability naturally. He was a wonderful story teller and would regale us with tales of his life’s adventures around the globe. He was a loyal and faithful friend who could always be trusted to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed cooking for friends and his taco dinners were renown around the city. He was quite the Christmas Cookie Monster and every year helped me make Rum cakes for his friends.

He had a passion for cars and dogs his entire life. He really loved dogs and was an animal lover in general. He contributed annually to Wolf rescues, The Humane Society and the ASPCA and every dog he ever owned was a rescue.

Dogs were only second to his passion for cars. From the time he bought a used 1953 Bel Air Chevy at age 18 he always prided himself on having the nicest and best kept car on the block. I don’t know how many vehicles he owned in his lifetime but recall a VW bought on his first tour in Germany, a GTO, several mustangs, an Oldsmobile, A Supra, a Red Cadillac, a Lincoln Cartier Town Car, A Lincoln Aviator, A Tahoe and a GMC Denali. Last but not least his pride and joy a Metallic Moonstone BMW 750 Li which to all our dismay he kept as a “Garage Queen.” When he entered the Saleen in a car show it won a prize and they joked that when he drove off in the sun the wax was melting and dripping off the car.

He loved golfing throughout most of his life. It was his main pastime during his retirement years. He was very proud of his hole in one at Coronado Golf Course. If he had any regrets in his life it was that he never perfected his swing, he didn’t travel more in his later years nor did he ever get the Bentley or Porsche of his dreams.

I miss him so badly. He always seemed a little bit bigger than life and it seems hard to imagine the world without him. I can only imagine that he is now driving fast cars and playing with all the dogs in Heaven, eating lots of Mexican Food and waiting to welcome us when our time comes.

A visitation for Theodore will be held Monday, January 23, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hillcrest Funeral Home - West, 5054 Doniphan Drive, El Paso, Texas. A graveside service will be Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Avenue, El Paso, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestfhwest.com for the Rivas family.