Juan F. Rivera

Juan F. Rivera, 86, of Chester, VA, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Juan was born in Puerto Rico on May 24, 1939 and was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Ida Rivera. 

Mr. Rivera faithfully served his country during the Vietnam War and retired from the United States Army as an SFC after 23 years of dedicated service. Following his retirement from the Army, Mr. Rivera went on to retire from the Defense General Supply Center as a 20-year civil servant. 

Juan was a longtime dedicated member of St. James Catholic Church in Hopewell, VA where he and his wife served in many capacities. He had a green thumb and enjoyed working in his garden growing all different types of plants, flowers and vegetables. 

He is survived by his two children, Rose Adams and husband, Dennis, and Juan E. Rivera and wife, Elizabeth; four granddaughters, Chelsey, Sydney, Megan, and Emily; and many brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews in Puerto Rico and Virginia.

A funeral mass will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Prince George, VA. Interment with full military honors will follow in Merchants Hope Memorial Gardens, Prince George. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home.