Adam Roy Rivas

Father, Husband, Brother, Friend and Mentor; Adam Roy Rivas passed away the morning of June 19th with his family at his side. Adam left an indelible mark in the hearts of his loved ones and anyone who knew him. Born in Salt Lake City, UT in the spring of 1963, his feisty, enigmatic and wayward spirit was clear to our parents. They had a live one on their hands. The 3rd child born to Fred & Betty Rivas, Adam demonstrated an avid curiosity about the world around him, always challenging, inquiring and most definitely always industrious. As a very young man, Adam met the love of his life, Gail Reynolds. They married young and built a life together in their hometown of Yelm for many years. During that time, they raised two boys, Dominic and Taylor, who are fine examples of what good, consistent parenting will produce. Anyone who spent time around Adam can vouch for his tenacious work ethic and ambitious drive. If you worked near, alongside or for Adam one thing was clear; you were running to keep up. His mind was always racing with ideas, strategies, game plans and just overall constructive energy. Adam spent his career as a motivated employee when he worked for others. His energy however was rarely contained by just holding a normal job - he always had the desire to run his own company. That energy drove him to be a passionate entrepreneur and his creative ideas live on in the Audio/Visual company he founded. Adam served as the Mayor of Yelm from 2001 to 2005, leading the community during one of its largest and most prosperous periods of growth. In that time he accomplished a multitude of projects for which the city is still benefitting. Adam was passionate about improving the city’s infrastructure and many key projects that we enjoy today were completed under this great man’s watch. He was instrumental in obtaining $33M for Phase 1 of the Yelm Loop which has since been constructed, as well as completed the first leg of the local traffic corridor, the Yelm Mini-Loop. He worked to expand the city’s innovative water reclamation facility and make necessary improvements to the water system. He appointed the current Chief of Police and Community Development Director and championed the employee recognition program. Prior to being Mayor, Adam served the City on the Planning Commission and City Council and proudly represented Yelm on numerous boards in Thurston County. A memorial and celebration of his life will be held for Adam at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June the 29th at the Performing Arts Center in Yelm High School. A reception will be held immediately following in the adjacent commons. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation “In Memory of Adam Rivas” to the following either online or by mail at: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society www.lls.org PO Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202 Or to: The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center www.fhcrc.org PO Box 19024 Seattle, WA 98109 Or to: Yelm Dollars for Scholars 360-458-6608