Tomas Rivera

1930 - 2022

Donna - The Rivera family regretfully announces the passing of Tomas Rivera (91) of Donna Texas. He passed away on February 12, 2022 peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Tomas Rivera was born on December 21, 1930 to Felipe and Senovia Rivera in Edinburg Texas. After graduating from Edinburg High School in 1950, he served in the US Army and was stationed in Yokahama Japan during the Korean War.

While in Japan, he met Darleen (Lyons) Rivera of Spirit Lake Iowa in 1951, and they wed in 1952. They settled down in McAllen Texas and started a family of four, David Rivera, Philip Wayne Rivera, Laurie Ann Rivera and Alan Glenn Rivera.

Working tirelessly to make a way for his family, Tomas Rivera worked for Verne Offerman founder of the Town Crier, Kerr Studios, Charles Clark Sr., founder of Clark Chevrolet in McAllen. Setting out on his own, he purchased one of two milk cow dairies in McAllen and Mission Texas. During this time he started buying and selling livestock, farm machinery and exporting them into Northern Mexico. After seeing success in selling farm machinery he founded Rivera's Machinery Inc. in 1977 in Hidalgo Texas later building a new store in 1987 on Expressway 83 in Donna Texas. Working side by side with his children Philip, Laurie and Alan Rivera, the business had continued success with the guidance of their Father and together they grew a farm machinery dealership that is respected throughout the region of Texas and Northern Mexico.

Tomas Rivera was preceded in death by (Son's) David Rivera, Philip Rivera of Mission Texas, (Former Wife) Darleen (Lyons) Rivera, (Brother) Alex Rivera of Edinburg Texas and (Sister) Mary Arredondo of San Antonio Texas. He is survived by (Son) Alan Rivera, (Daughter) Laurie (Rivera) Moreno, (Brother) Felipe Rivera Jr., (Sister) Velma Cantu. (Grandchildren) Andrew Rivera, Matthew Rivera, Aaron Rivera, Thomas Rivera, Samantha Tolon, Brandon Moreno, Cory Rivera, Brittni Rivera. (Great Grandchildren) Julia Ann Tolon, Adalyn Rivera.

The Rivera family would like to thank everyone for their kind messages and calls of condolences. It is truly a blessing to have all the love that has been shared. We would additionally like to thank Mi-Casa Home Health from Alice Texas for their exceptional and caring service that they provided our father and family.

No funeral will be held. A celebration of life service will be arranged soon in San Antonio Texas for family and friends and will be announced directly.