Daniel Rivera

Daniel Rivera, 67, of Richmond and formerly of Wharton,  passed away on Monday, September 3, 2018 at a Houston hospice facility surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on April 8, 1951 in New Gulf to the late D. C. and Josephine Tafolla Rivera.   Daniel was raised in the Wharton area and graduated from Wharton High School.  He later attended Wharton County Junior College where he played on the college baseball team. He later served our country honorably in the US Navy.  He married Gloria Duran on December 29, 1973 and together they raised 4 children. Daniel worked for Nalco Chemical Company for over 30 years. He loved his family and enjoyed spending as much time with them. Daniel was Catholic by faith, was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, and the last 25 years a member of Sacred Heart Church in Richmond.  He served as a Eucharistic Minister and CCD teacher.  He participated in Little League Baseball for 20 years.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Don Rivera.   He is survived by his wife: of 44 years, Gloria Rivera; daughters: Kimberly Elizabeth Pena and husband, Frankie of Rosenberg and Desiree Marie Rivera of Katy; sons: Daniel Rivera II of Sugar Land and Kenneth Michael “Mikey” Rivera and wife, Ann of Wharton; brother: David Rivera and wife,  Tina of Wharton; grandchildren: Nicholas Anthony Mendoza, Briana Sanchez, Wesley Rivera, Eric “Tootoo” Rivera, James Michael Martinez, Kelena Sistianna Martinez, Jacob Daniel Martinez, Joseph Samuel Martinez, Isaiah Lee Pena, Daniel Serrano, Sarah Celene Montalbo, Miranda Nicole Montalbo and Leigha Marie Montalbo; great grandchildren: Zaiden Garza and Apollo Kai Bellinger; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.       Visitation will be on Thursday, September 6, 2018 starting at 5:30 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 507 South 4thSt., Richmond, Texas.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Wharton with Father Antonio Perez officiating.  A Rite of Committal and burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers will be Kelvin Trilica, Edmond Escobedo, Jesse Ramirez, Delfino Ramirez, Robert Perry, Scott Dylla, Gary Meuth, Jeremy Albenty, Nicholas Mendoza, Wesley Rivera, Jacob Martinez and Edward Duran.   Services under the direction of  Wharton Funeral Home.  Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com