Carlos Rivas

Carlos Angel Rivas 1937-2012
74 of Aurora, father, husband, grandfather, brother, patriot, and soldier, assumed his permanent post in Heaven, on Sunday, April 15, 2012. His wife, Elda Rivas, survives him. His sister, Lourdes (Arnulfo) Rivas-Viveros. His six children: Shirley, Carlos, Jr., Elizabeth "Lizzy", Alexander, Dana, and Anthony. His two stepchildren: Aldo Tapia and Alan Tapia. His twenty-one grandchildren: Joshua, Matthew, Joey, Josh, Zachery, Daniel, Richard, Dylan, Blaine, Corree, Evan, Erica, Emily, Ashley, Sydney, Josh, Zack, Cydney, Brennan, Charlotte, Isaac, and Elda Ericka. His great-grandson, Spencer. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Carlos and Maria Luisa Rivas; his brother, Angel; his two sisters, Maria Luisa and Teresa.
Carlos served in the United States Army for 26 years, in the roles of Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard. He was a patriot who loved the United States so much that he volunteered to serve in Vietnam, where he received the Soldiers Medal for Valor. He served as a door gunner in the 1st Aviation Brigade, 195th AHC "Sky Chiefs". Carlos continued on helping shape our country's future by working for The Boy Scouts of America in the role of District Executive for the Denver Area Council, Greater Los Angeles, and the Phoenix Arizona Councils. He retired from the Boy Scouts in 1988 and continued to be active in the Texas Army National Guard until his retirement in 1991. Carlos loved to travel and was an accomplished linguist who spoke fluent French, Spanish, Italian, and German, in addition to English. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. Carlos loved to learn and would take every opportunity to further his knowledge, especially concerning topics that were of interest to his children and grandchildren. Those who loved him and truly knew him will dearly miss him; he was a kind caring man.