Orlando Rivera

Orlando Rivera, 23, of Grand Prairie, Texas, beloved son, brother, brother-in-law, boyfriend, friend, grandson, nephew, cousin, and uncle died on May 1st , 2016. Orlando was born on April 1st, 1993, in Maywood, Illinois.

Orlando came into this world, with eyes wide open, and arms stretched wide. He was born weighing a whopping 10lbs, and caused such an April Fools commotion because of his size, that the nurses called him "the little monster." He was a big beautiful boy with a big heart. He was the baby of the family.

As a child he was a fan of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Arthur, and the Lion King. He aspired to be a Pokemon master. He later turned his attention to WWE, a phase his family thought he would grow out of, but never did. And that was okay, as we loved the child-like enthusiasm he had for wrestling. Luckily, his most recent childhood dream came true, when he went to see Wrestlemania in person. He called it the best time of his life.

He and his dad shared a mutual love for sports. Orlando loved Chicago teams, but he not-so-secretly rooted for Dallas too. If you'd ask him any random sports statistic, he likely knew it.

He loved to write. He loved music. He loved singing. He loved Blink 182.

His adoring girlfriend, Julia Barron, recently gifted him a birthday cake with Blink 182 lyrics that read, "Nobody likes you when you're 23."Truly, he was loved.

Orlando was a young 23 year old man, who like many at this age, was figuring it all out. He was working at a job he loved. He had fallen in love. And he was at the center of his mother's universe, as she was beginning the long and arduous road of mending her broken heart over the recent loss of her husband.

Most people get to live to talk about the mistakes of their youth. Most people get to share those stories as cautionary tales. Orlando's life, unfortunately, ended before it should have.

Orlando is survived by his devoted mother, Silvia Teresa Rivera, of Grand Prairie, Texas, and by his two loving sisters, Silvia "Bibis" Rivera of Chicago, Illinois, and Cynthia Todd of Waukegan, Illinois. Orlando also leaves behind his beloved dog, Josie. He is preceded in death by his father, Hilario Rivera.

Recently, Orlando posted on Facebook: I can't wait to see all of my idols in heaven one day. My dad being the number one. Indeed, he is now in his father's arms.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel in Grand Prairie Texas. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 5th, 2016 from 5pm to 8 pm
Service will be on Friday, May 6th, 2016, at Immaculate Conception Church in Grand Prairie at 10:00 AM.