Jose L Rivera

Jose, or as he preferred to be called, Joe, was born on July 20, 1963, to Geronimo and Modesta Rivera in Raymondville, Texas.

In 1983, Joe joined the Air Force and was stationed in Jacksonville, Arkansas in 1985. There he met his soon-to-be wife, Jeanette Rivera. On January 9, 1988, they married, and Joe inherited his son, Christopher Galluppo, who was 6 at the time. In 1992, Joe got news while stationed in Korea that his wife had given birth to their daughter, Jennifer Rivera. Joe and Jeanette celebrated 34 years together before her death in December of 2022.

Joe retired from the Air Force in 2003 after spending 20 years of service. He continued to work in automobile parts stores in management positions and some security work until he finally retired in 2021.

Joe spent most of his free time outdoors with his family. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and riding ATVs. He was a private individual but had the ability to make friends easily. He has made numerous friends over the years through his service in the military, his time working as a manager, and through years of hunting and fishing.

Joe was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his brother, Juan, and his sister, Juana. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, his son and daughter, and five grandchildren.

Jose will be receiving military honors at St. Anne Catholic Church in North Little Rock on January 5th at 4:30 PM, followed by a rosary at 5 PM, and a mass in his honor at 5:30 PM.