Aurelio Lopez Rivas

Aurelio Lopez Rivas (Wounded Knee, Chief), 74, of Carlsbad NM, passed away Monday, May 22, 2023. Visitation will be 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2023, followed by a Rosary at 6 p.m. at West Funeral Home. Liturgy of the Word service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at San Jose Catholic Church. Military honors will be provided by the Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard, at the church following the Liturgy service. Cremation will take place after the Liturgy service.
Aurelio was born in Carlsbad, NM on September 1,1948. He graduated from Carlsbad High School and continued on to receive an Associate of Arts degree from NMSU Carlsbad.
Aurelio was married to Gloria Aguilar on June 16, 1973; they were married for 49 years. He served in the United States Marine Corps, enlisting in the military on February 24, 1969, and served in Vietnam. He retired from WIPP as an Environmental Tech.
Aurelio was preceded in death by Catarino Rivas (Father), Edwarda (Lala) Lopez Rivas (Mother), Armando Rivas (Brother), Ryan Madrid (Nephew).
Aurelio is survived by his wife Gloria Rivas, and his three children: daughters, Amie & Randall McNeal and Valerie & Chuck Favano, and his son Aurelio (Pete) & Juliana Rivas. His four grandchildren Angela, Chey Ann, Esperanza and Aurelio (Aj). He is also survived by his siblings: Paula Salcido (sister), Maria Ramirez (sister), AL & Lisa Rivas (brother), Delma & Ralph Madrid (sister) Carol Castillo (sister) and Lorenzo Rivas (brother).
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