Daniel D. Rivera

Daniel (Dano) Rivera was born on March 31, 1974 to the loving parents of Charlie and Lupe Henry. Preceding him in death were his maternal grandparents, Eliseo and Pauline Rivera; his paternal grandparents, Charlie and Nancy Henry; and his loving younger brother, Charles W. Rivera, Sr. In earlier years he attended Kansas City Missouri Schools Central High School.

He attended Sacred Heart-Guadalupe Catholic Church with his family. He was a truck driver by trade and entrepreneur by spirit. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, parents, children, family, and friends. He had a love for old school cars and music. He enjoyed exercising, playing card games, and dominos. He enjoyed his mother and son time and he enjoyed listening to old school music with his father. Growing up everyone always knew when you saw Daniel you saw his younger brother, Charles. Those close to them would always say, “Where is Dano and Charlie”, “Is Dano and Charlie coming” or “We are going over to Dano and Charlie’s house”. His younger brother meant the world to him.

Daniel met Mekaela, fell in love and married on September 8, 2012. They enjoyed their weekly dinner dates, exercising together, shopping and walking on the Country Club Plaza. Daniel was known to say to his mother about his wife, “I love her momma”.

He loved each of his children, individually and collectively. He was very proud of the men and woman they were becoming. Daniel and Marquan both had a love for cars and Daniel was very proud of Marquan when he was promoted into management. Daniel enjoyed watching Danielle graduate from college and being present when she gave birth to his first grandchild. Daniel and Isis both shared a loved for watching the 4th of July fireworks and lighting the fuse on several fireworks together. Daniel enjoyed his heart-to-heart conversation with Heaven and they both had a love for shopping. Daniel was proud of Kamryn’s many scholar accomplishments and seeing her off to college. His youngest, Morgan, was his Shuggie. He enjoyed taking her to the church father - daughter dance every year. She was called the spoiled child, but all his children were spoiled by him, and he loved them all unconditionally. His greatest love was being a grandpa to his grandson, Owen.

He had a very close relationship with his first-generation cousins, more like brothers and sisters. They all spent a lot of time together during their adolescent years and as adults. He was the patriarch of his generation. He was their superman.

Daniel leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Mekaela Rivera; parents, Charlie and Lupe Henry; son, Marquan Rivera; daughters, Danielle Rivera, Isis Taylor, Heaven Redick, Kamryn Rivera, and Morgan (Shuggie) Rivera; one grandson, Owen Williams; one nephew, Charles W. Rivera Jr.; and a host of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Daniel departed his life on December 16, 2023 at his employer, Aristocrat Motors, surrounded by his family and colleagues. He was well loved by his family, the Kansas City Community, and friends. He will be dearly missed.