Samuel T. Rivera

Samuel  (Sam) T. Rivera, age 77, of Sweetwater, Texas passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Nolan Nursing and Rehab.

A rosary will be held 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home Chapel recited by Johnny Cave.  Holy Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M., Thursday, December 6, 2012 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Okonkwo officiating.  Interment will follow at Garden of Memories with Nolan County Honor Guard.  Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.

Sam was born on December 2, 1934 in King Fisher, Oklahoma to Jose and Elena (Torres) Rivera.  He married Luz Saldivar on August 18, l956 in Sweetwater, Texas.  He owned and operated Sam's Paint and  Body Shop for thirty seven years before retiring.  He was a member of Holy Family  Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.  He was a U.S.Air Force veteran and a lifetime resident of Sweetwater, Texas.

He is survived by his wife Luz Rivera of Sweetwater, Texas; three sons, Rodney Rivera and wife Rachel, Jerry Rivera, and Lance Rivera, daughter-in-law, Kelli J. Rivera, all of Sweetwater; two brothers, Cruz Rivera of Sweetwater, and Richard Rivera of Portales, New Mexico; one sister, Pat Quirino and husband Lee of Arlington, Texas; eleven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and aunts, Victoria Abalos and Juanita Vasquez, both of Sweetwater, Texas; uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Elena Rivera, and son, Ricky Rivera.

Pallbearers will be Brett Rivera, Louis Torres, Ronnie Torres, Freddie Saldivar, Raymond Saldivar and Rito Ramon.