Tony Rivera, 73, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Sharon (Bullard) Rivera; daughter Shelly Rivera; Son-n-Law Tony Rivera; Daughter-n-Law Kari Rivera; granddaughters Rachael (Rivera) Hackler and her husband Brad Hackler; Sharra Rivera and Fiancé Robert Munoz; grandson Tony Ray Rivera; two great-grand children Brooks and Layla Hackler; brother, Frank Rivera & wife Sherron, many close friends and family.
Born to Frank and Carlota Rivera on December 7, 1943, Tony was raised in Henryetta along side his 4 siblings. Tony graduated from St. Michael’s Catholic Church and met his wife soon after at a local dance. Tony married his wife, Sharon, on June 29, 1963. Tony began work for Ball Brothers Glass Plant and remained with the glass plant for more than twenty years before an injury forced him into early retirement. Tony later formed the first pallet company in Okmulgee County while also owning and operating restaurants along side his wife.
In his early years, Tony was a member of the National Guard and served until 1968. Always an entrepreneur, he had many passions, including farming, raising and selling livestock and property investment. Although Tony had many interests his biggest passion in life was raising and teaching his family. He enjoyed sharing stories and words of wisdom with anyone that would listen! He loved cooking, American history, westerns, and fishing.
Tony was wonderful husband, father, Pal Pal and Uncle. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Carlota Rivera; his siblings Jessie, Raymond, and Margaret Rivera; his son, Tony Ray Rivera, nephew, Frankie Rivera, niece, Teresa Rivera, and great nephew Wesley Nelson.
Services will be held at Integrity Chapel at Integrity Funeral Service on Monday, March 20th, 2017 at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at New Sonora Cemetery in Henryetta. Viewings will take place on Saturday, March 18th and Sunday March 19th, from 12:00 to 8:00pm.