José Aurelio Rivera Prats
Obituary
José Aurelio Rivera Prats, age 97, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026. He was born on March 23, 1929, in the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rican parents, Enrique Rivera Vives and Julia Prats, who were serving as missionaries.
José spent his childhood in the Dominican Republic until the age of 14, when a devastating hurricane destroyed the family’s mission and prompted their return to Puerto Rico.
After returning to Puerto Rico, he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a business administration and accounting degree. José proudly served in the United States Army for two years before beginning his professional career. He worked for the Royal Bank of Canada and the IRS, and the last 20 years worked and retired from the U.S. Customs Service, where he served as a Customs Agent and Supervisor.
Alongside his career, José was a music enthusiast. Although he studied music formally for two years, he possessed a remarkable natural gift of playing by ear. He enjoyed playing the accordion, piano, guitar, and harmonica, bringing joy to family and friends through his music. He also had a passion for sports. Basketball was his favorite, and he played throughout his youth and adulthood.
He is survived by his three daughters: Loida Rivera Delgado and her husband, Edgardo Delgado; Caroline Rivera Nieves and her husband, José Nieves; and Enza Rivera Rodriguez and her husband, Samuel Rodriguez.
He was the proud grandfather of Roxana and Samuel Delgado; Caroline and Rafael Santiago; and Raquel, Iván, and Saúl Rodríguez.
He was also blessed with ten great-grandchildren: Claire Rose Delgado; Neeley, Nelson, Jaden, Aaliyah, and Xavier Santiago; and Addison, Atlanta, Arthur, and Arrow Luelf.
A celebration of José’s life will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Presbyterian Church in Jenks, Oklahoma. Following the service, family and friends are invited to stay for a barbecue lunch in his honor.
José’s life was marked by faith, service, music, and love. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him.
Events
Celebration of Life
Tributes & Memories
Mi corazón está triste y regocijado al mismo tiempo porque tío Chelo fue alguien ejemplar como padre y como esposo de mi tía René. Imagino la fiesta que hay en el cielo cuando entró y vi a su esposa y a mi papá su cuñado; y yo sé que está gozando de la vida eterna extrañaremos muchísimo cuando tocaba el piano en las fiestas de Navidad y de la familia esa son las mejores memorias que tengo de él pues ayudaron a mi transición a Estados Unidos en una forma inmensurable.
Mayra Melendez
En memoria de mi querido padrino, Tío Chelo
Hoy mi corazón se llena de tristeza al despedir a quien no solo fue mi padrino, sino también un hombre que marcó mi vida con su cariño, su ejemplo y su presencia. Doy gracias a Dios por el regalo de haber caminado junto a él y por los recuerdos que permanecerán para siempre en mi corazón.
Aunque hoy las lágrimas nos acompañan, nuestra fe nos recuerda que la muerte no tiene la última palabra. Confiamos en la promesa de Jesucristo de la vida eterna y descansamos en la certeza de que quienes ponen su esperanza en el Señor viven para siempre en Él.
Tío Chelo, gracias por tu amor, por tus enseñanzas y por el legado que dejas en nuestra familia. Te extrañaremos profundamente, pero nos consuela saber que ahora descansas en la paz y el abrazo eterno de nuestro Señor.
Hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar. Descansa en paz.
In Memory of My Beloved Godfather, Tío Chelo
Today my heart is filled with sorrow as I say goodbye to the man who was not only my godfather but also someone whose love, example, and presence deeply shaped my life. I thank God for the gift of sharing this journey with him and for the memories that will remain forever in my heart.
Though we grieve today, our faith reminds us that death does not have the final word. We hold fast to Christ's promise of eternal life and find comfort in the assurance that those who place their hope in the Lord live forever in His presence.
Tío Chelo, thank you for your love, your wisdom, and the legacy you leave with our family. We will miss you dearly, yet we are comforted by knowing that you now rest in the eternal peace and embrace of our Lord.
Until we meet again. Rest in peace.
Quique