Clementé M. ‘Clem’ Rivera, Jr., 78, died peacefully on Saturday, May 4 with his loving family by his side.
He was born on Feb. 24, 1935 in Lower Vallecitos, N.M., now known as Ponderosa, N.M. He moved with his family at 10 years of age to Oakdale. He graduated from Oakdale High School in 1954 and attended Modesto Junior College for two years before enlisting in the Army in 1958.
During his three-year military service, he met his wife, Patricia Rose Conroy. They married June 3, 1961. They had three children, Greg, Cindy, and Frank.
Mr. Rivera was self-employed and owner of Rivera & Son Earth Moving and Grading; some of his work was in the Oakdale, Riverbank, and Escalon areas.
He was active in the community in the Knights of Columbus, Oakdale Lions Club, and Oakdale Country Club, where he enjoyed playing golf.
He loved to travel with his family and friends from Ireland, New Mexico and Hawaii, to taking the RV to Pismo Beach and the High Sierras. For the last three years, he loved to spend time in Cold Springs at the family cabin.
He was best known as “Papa” to his grandchildren who adored everything about him. He taught beautiful life lessons and traditions to all seven of them.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Pat; sons, Greg (Lisa Mae) Rivera, Frank (Lisa) Rivera, all of Oakdale; daughter, Cindy (Davis) Sherwood of Danville; grandchildren, Joshua, Alexandra, Melissa, Jordann, Lauren, Megan, and Madison.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizaida; father, Clementé Rivera, Sr.; brothers, Tony and Romeo; and sisters, Josephine Leal, Frances Lett, and Lori Rivera.
A rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oakdale. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, also at the church.
Remembrances may be made in his honor to Oakdale High School FFA, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Helping Hands, or Community Hospice.
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
May 8, 2013