John Rivera

In Loving Memory of John Rivera

September 13, 1962 to September 8, 2021

 

John was born September 13, 1962, in New York City, New York to Felix Rivera and Advilda Perez. John dies at 58 years of age, in the comfort of his home on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. John was raised and attended school in New York. John served as an airborne and infantry soldier in the United States Army. After serving in the military, he obtained work through the United States Postal Service. John became a licensed plumber, HVAC technician and electrician. He also was a certified locksmith, painter, welder, local area technician, computer specialist, musician, dancer, gymnast, motorcyclist, martial artist and more, who became a strong christian man.

After diligent study of the Bible, John was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on April 20, 1985 and became a very humble active servant of Jehovah. He learned Spanish and was instrumental in forming the first Spanish congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in North Carolina. He loved learning the truth the Bible teaches and shared this truth with all who would listen. John was a selfless man and humble at heart with a deep love for his family and people in general, helping all regardless of need. John loved using his skills in Jehovah’s service and mentored others for more than 35 years. He was a first responder rendering aid in numerous disasters and helping victims of hurricanes, tornados, and flood to recover. He shared the good news of God’s Kingdom with encouragement for the depressed and downhearted, putting the hearer at ease.  In John’s zeal for Jehovah’s service, he became John the baptizer. Some of John’s privileges were: Congregation Elder, Bible study conductor, public speaker, Pioneer, LDC Instructor, Bethelite… and many other areas of Kingdom service. After the establishment of the first Spanish congregation in Fayetteville, John met Marlene and they served in the same congregation. After numerous years, John married his longtime friend who later became the love of his life, Marlene Rodriguez on July 9, 2012. Together, they participated in Kingdom activities in many countries in the world and aided people into the truth. Together, they also had the wonderful privilege of participating on LDC projects in the construction of homes, Kingdom Halls and the World Wide Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Warwick, New York. John was an exceptional man, husband and friend. He continues to be a source of encouragement to those who knew him and to his beloved wife. John was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.  

John was preceded in death by his father Felix Rivera, his mother Advilda Perez and his brother Pablo Vega. John is survived by his wife Marlene Rivera, son John Rivera Jr., daughter Abigail Rivera (from previous marriages), brother Jim Rivera, sister Carmen Perez, sister Maria Serrano and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, step family, Spiritual family, coworkers and dear friends. 

 

 

Funeral Service: Zoom and KH Conf on Saturday, 9/18/2021 at 4:00pm. 

Meeting ID: 81811102788; Meeting code: JRIVERA 

Minister officiating: Silas E Acosta 

KH Conf: http://stream.khconf.com/player/#/token/34DG-CJBP .  

Please limit connections to only one, to Zoom or KH Conf and to 1 per family.

 

 

Order of Service

Pictures of John/Song “I Give My Life To You”

Pictures of John/Song “Our Joy Eternally”

4:00pm  Introduction/Announcements: Reinaldo Ramos                             

4:03pm Song 139 See Yourself When all is New":  Reinaldo Ramos                           

4:07pm  Prayer: Reinaldo Ramos 

4:09pm  Introduction of Speaker: Reinaldo Ramos 

4:10pm  Obituary/ Funeral Discourse: Silas E Acosta 

4:40pm  Song 140 Life Without end- At Last!: Silas E Acosta                      

4:45pm  Prayer: Oralondo Solomon

4:47pm  Interview/Remarks: Johnny Chance by John Green

4:49pm  Remarks/Video Presentation: José Bermudez

5:00pm  Funeral Service Ends

Pictures of John and Songs: “With Eyes of Faith” and “Give me Courage”

 

 

Acknowledgement

The family of John Rivera, wish to thank you for your attendance and thoughtful expressions of concern. Please accept our sincere thanks for sharing with us in our hour of need and please be assured of our warm Christian love. 

The Rivera Family

 

 

Reflection of John’s favorite scriptures

Isa 30:15   Your strength will be in keeping calm and showing trust in Jehovah.

Psalm 55:22   Throw your burden on Jehovah and he will sustain you.

Isa 48:17, 18   This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

 

 

Burial Arrangements

John will be laid to rest at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery: 8220 Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake, NC 28390. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be sent to: 3215 N Main Street #1260, Hope Mills, NC 28348.   

 

 

John’s Invitation

John Loved Jehovah with all his heart, would urge all reading this and assembled here for this memorial to draw close to “Our Magnificent God Jehovah” by learning about HIM and serving HIM.  To learn more of what John Rivera’s hope for the future was, please read the publication "Enjoy Life Forever", An Interactive Bible Course published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

The Rivera family would like to thank Rogers and Breece Funeral Home Staff for their kind and professional service during this difficult time. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Rivera, please visit our floral store.