He was born in Benavides, TX on July 10, 1940 to Jose G. Rivera and Beatris Flores Rivera.
He served in the Air Force during Vietnam. Jose was known to his family and friends as “Cody”. Cody loved spending time with his wife and family, watching football, baseball and boxing with his son, visiting with his daughter and going to see his grandchildren at school events and sport activities. Cody also enjoyed going to Church with his wife.
He married Nilda Lichtenberger on January 6, 1968 and was an Oil Field Production Foreman and retired from Woodgroup Inc. now ERC (Equipment Renewal Company).
He is preceded in death by his parents Jose and Beatris Flores; brothers Edwardo Rivera and Jesus Edwardo Rivera; grandparents Epitacio and Maria Rivera Jose and Victoria Flores.
He is survived by his spouse Nilda Rivera; children, Eloy Solis (Alma), Rosana Martinez (J.D.) and Arnold Rivera (Gina); grandchildren, Sonia Bernal (Jesus-Chewy), Chelsy Soliz, Jessica Rivera (Joe), Madison Martinez, Jonathan Cody Rivera, Gabriella Martinez, Lauren Rivera and Andrew Rivera; great grandchildren, Lindsey Lynette, Lorisa Lorraine, Lysandra Lystett, Lauren Luella, Jacob Alec, Ixchel, Elijah, Catalina Mariel, Landon Mathieu and Ryan Kaylem.
Pallbearers will be Jonathan Cody Rivera, Benjamin Martinez, Robert Cervantes, John Rudy Broquet, Conrado “Third” Lichtenberger III, Marcus Vasquez.
Visitation will be held at Funeraria del Angel- Memorial Holly on Monday, August 10, 2020 from 10:45 am to 11:45 am with Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:00 pm at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.
