Paul Rivas, Jr.

Paul was born on August 8, 1936 and passed peacefully by natural causes with his family by his side on January 10, 2025. He was born in El Paso, Texas to Pablo & Michaela Rivas, moving to Merced, CA months after birth residing here the remainder of his life.

He graduated from Merced High School and then enlisted to serve proudly in the US Air Force. After his basic training at Camp Parks AFB, Livermore, CA, he was stationed in Mississippi, Goose Bay Labrador and Tennessee doing tactical air command.

When returning home after being honorably discharged in 1959, he started working at the Strand Theater where he met the love of his life, Mary Norma Madrid and they married on New Years Eve in 1960. They were married for almost 55 years before her passing in 2015.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sue Mariscal, brothers Joe (Angel) Rivas, Tommy Rivas and wife Mary Norma Rivas.

Paul is survived by his children Denise (Curtis Lee), Paul III (Luann) and Bryan (Serina). Grandchildren Leslie (Robbie), Cory (Brandi), Jayme (Jody), Lee, Joshua (Andrea), Michaela, Micha (Kara), Jonathan, Bauer, Audrey and Eve. 12 Great Grandchildren, sisters Mary Cotta, Josie Lozano, Vickey Frank, brother-in-law Steve Frank and many nieces and nephews.

Paul was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who loved history, old western and war movies, peddler fairs, going for walks fishing and explorative long drives especially to Knights Ferry with his beloved Norma.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, January 23rd at 9:00 am at Yosemite Church, 2230 E. Yosemite Ave., Merced, CA 95340 and the Funeral Service to follow at 10:00 am. Burial with military honors will be at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine/Santa Nella at 2:00 pm.

Special thanks to ALL of the staff at Park Merced who provided an unimaginable amount of love, compassion and support. We will be forever grateful for your loving care and attention given to our dad. To Anberry Rehabilitation, Bristol Hospice and to Julie Davidson FNP who was always lovingly his "Dr. Julie."

In lieu of flowers, Paul requested donations made to any Veteran organization in his name. Arrangements entrusted to Whitton Family Funeral Service in Merced.