Ltc R James Rivera

LTC R James Rivera, 54, of Coal Valley, Illinois, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, a decorated Army Veteran, died Monday, November 1, 2010, in his home. Jim was born July 12, 1956, in Manhattan, New York, the son of Alvin and Carmen Montes Rivera. He married Barbara Bruce Robinson on June 12, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He retired January 1, 2010, after serving 34 years in the U.S. Military, 6 years in the Air Force and 28 years in the U.S. Army. In his long and distinguished career, he served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Desert Storm. He received, among many other honors and awards, the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Army and Air Force Commendation Medals, and several battle and campaign medals. Since retiring, he has been a Senior Defense Analyst for Coker Logistics Solutions at the Rock Island Arsenal. He loved his, dog Bella and his Goldwing and was a proud member of the Goldwing Road Riders Association. Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara; his mother and step-father, Carmen and Jim Thomas of Armargosa Valley, Nevada; his father, Alvin Rivera of Chula Vista, California; three Children and their spouses, Christina Marie Rivera, James and Amber Rivera, and Jason and Bailey Rivera, all of Henderson, Nevada; three step-children and a spouse, Maranda Carreon of San Antonio, Texas; Adam and Amber Robinson of Little Elm, Texas; and Aaron Robinson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; fourteen grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Alvin and Jennifer Rivera of Lunenburg, Massachusetts; and a sister, Roxanna Rivera of Pahrump, Nevada. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Sunday, November 7, 2010, at Porter Loring Mortuary North. SERVICE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010 10:00 A.M. MAIN POST CHAPEL FORT SAM HOUSTON Interment will follow with Full Military Honors in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fisher House Inc., 7323 Highway 90 West, Suite 206, San Antonio, TX 78227.