Fernando Rivera

Fernando Rivera, age 88, of Pearland, Texas was called home by our Lord Jesus Christ on September 18, 2021. Fernando was born on April 8, 1933 in San Luis, Potosi, Mexico to Maria Del Carmen and Elias Rivera.

Fernando was born, raised and schooled in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He moved to Chicago, Illinois at the age of 25. He worked for Sloan Valve in Chicago and retired after 22 years. He relocated to Houston, Texas and was employed by Ninfa’s Restaurants R&M department and then the Astrodome until his second retirement.

Fernando was easy going and had a great sense of humor. He made a lasting impression on those he briefly met to those who knew him his entire life. He easily brought a smile or made someone laugh either at what he said or what he did.

He enjoyed working with his hands, rarely called for a professional craftsman as he always preferred doing things himself. He was inspired by nature, and he enjoyed drawing and painting flowers, particularly carnations and roses; he loved painting landscapes; and took pleasure in bird watching, especially cardinals.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Dominic Luke Rodriguez, his parents, his sister, Lupe Medel and his brother, Gustavo Rivera.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth S. Rivera, his five daughters and their spouses and his 14 grandchildren and three great- grandchildren: Rose and Bill Holton and grandchildren Daniel and Lauren Holton; Lauree and Pete Fernandez and grandsons Matthew and Zachary Fernandez; Vicky and Sergio Rodriguez and grandsons Anthony and Nicholas Rodriguez; Maria and Tim Guerrettaz and grandchildren Andrew and Diana Guerrettaz and great-grandchildren Ethan and Juniper Guerrettaz, Joshua and Kelly Ann Guerrettaz and great-granddaughter Maeve Guerrettaz, Tommie and Marissa Guerrettaz, and Jessie and Katie Guerrettaz; Sylvia and David Connor and granddaughters Adrienne, Ava and Audrey Connor; and his sister Elvira Arriaga and his brother Jorge Rivera. He will be deeply missed by numerous friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 11011 Hall Road in Houston, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Rivera family.