Thomas Rivas

East Moline, Illinois
Thomas Rivas, Sr., 65, of East Moline, Illinois, a decorated Vietnam veteran, died Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis, Illinois.
Services are 1:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Celebration of Life Chapel at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Moline American Legions Post #246 will present military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a fund for Tom?s grandchildren.
Tom was born October 10, 1947, in Moline, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Ophelia (Lopez) Rivas. He was raised by his mother and her husband, Joseph Ramirez, Sr. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, and was awarded the Silver Star Medal, a Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and a Combat Infantryman Badge.
He worked for the Rock Island Post Office. He enjoyed music, playing the guitar and singing, gambling, and relaxing by the river.
Tom is survived by a son and his girlfriend, Uriah Rivas and Samantha Green of Viola, Illinois; five grandchildren, Thomas III, Aiden, Rio, Jo?Zee, and Ember; his father, Joseph Ramirez, Sr. of Silvis; siblings, Josie Johnson of Moline, Sally (Hans) Koehn of Donahue, Iowa, George (Pay) Ramirez of Oklahoma, Raymond Rivas of Silvis, Rosann (Randy) Elsbury of Port Byron, Illinois, JoAnn Jones-Heist (Brian Heist) of East Moline, and Joseph Ramirez, Jr. of Silvis; a daughter-in-law, Elvira Rodriguez-Rivas of Hillsdale, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Rivas, Jr., and brothers, Richard Ramirez and Anthony Rivas.
The family invites you to share stories and condolences and light a candle in Tom?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.