Victor (Buzz) Rivera |
| Posted 2014-10-29 by Sharla |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Victor “Buzz” Rivera, 68 years, much-loved husband, father, son and brother, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus the morning of Oct. 19, 2014, with the love of his life for over 45 years by his side. Victor was born Sept. 1, 1946, in New York City and moved with his parents and his younger brother, Jorge, to Los Angeles in 1952. Victor attended Benjamin Franklin High School where he met his future bride. Victor recounted how they met near his bus stop and how he asked if he could walk her to school. (She said “Yes”!). Victor went on to college but was quickly drafted into the U.S. Army and then sent to Vietnam. With an electronics major in college, he served as a communications sergeant, radioing air strikes against the North Viet Cong Army. Vic returned to California to marry his high school sweetheart, working at AAA Insurance, during which time they had their son Glen. Vic saved up enough to move to Flagstaff where he bought a small sandwich and ice cream shop. His parents loved the wide open spaces as well, and followed Victor and his family as far as Camp Verde. Victor also worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance and after a few more years, bought an interest in a watch shop in San Diego, moving to first Encinitas and then Carlsbad. Upon retiring from that business, Victor began a local handyman repair business. It was during this time of his life, Victor began to serve in the local church as a parking lot greeter and became quite a character to the carloads of children as they arrived. However, the wide open spaces and freedoms Arizona offered over California kept calling and after much consideration, they settled on Wickenburg. In his younger days, Victor was an avid sports enthusiast. He enjoyed snow and water skiing, motorcycling, surfing, running, windsurfing and would even be found riding razor scooters on occasion. A practical joker but never in a mean spirit, he loved to make people laugh. He always looked for a faster, better way to accomplish whatever task at hand and when he discovered it, would share his newfound skill with everyone. Growing up poor and working hard to overcome obstacles was Vic’s way of dealing with poverty and yet bent over backwards to help anyone who came across his path. Victor demonstrated the love of Jesus Christ by serving anyone around him. Victor was the kind of man who would literally give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it or even wanted it. Through it all, Victor was characterized by boundless energy, enthusiasm and a hearty, often-roaring laugh. While suffering through cancer, Victor still would break out with a joke or a smile, reminding everyone how much he had to look forward to when he would finally meet Jesus. Towards the end of his days, he firmly stated “It is not a Christians understanding (everything), it is the Christian’s faith”. Victor is survived by his high school sweetheart Sherrill Rivera and their son Glen of Congress, and two brothers Jorge and Bert. It can be rightly said....Victor fought the good fight, he kept the faith, he won the race! A memorial service will be planned for a later date. See Also: Find A Grave |
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