Jeffrey Michael Rivera, 32, of Gilbert, Arizona passed away Sunday, January 6, 2008 in a tragic bus accident in Utah. He was born February 21, 1975 in Phoenix, Arizona to Celia Edwards and Jim Rivera. Jeff graduated in 1993 from Camelback High School, attended Scottsdale Community College and graduated with a BS degree from University of Phoenix in 2005. He was employed by ACS Inc. as a Senior Exchange Engineer in Phoenix. Jeff previously worked in Pennsylvania, Washington DC and Prague, CZ making many lasting friendships in each location. He enjoyed spending time with his many friends; snow skiing, target practice, playing kickball, BBQs and spending time with his nephew and niece along with his boxer Morgan. Survivors include his parents, Celia and Russell Edwards of Phoenix, father Jim Rivera of San Jose, CA, sisters Natalie Christian Geise of Prescott Valley, Lisa Charr Berteaux of Mesa, grandmothers, Margaret Cheves, Janice Edwards and Marilyn Durham, nephew Aiden Jeffrey Geise and niece Scarlette Berteaux, his aunt and uncle Cornelia & Syd Bridge, many cousins and his beloved Morgan. “El Jefe” will be greatly missed by all of his friends. Visitation will be Sunday, January 13th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018 Phone: 602 840-5600. Graveside services will be held Monday, January 14th 10:30 AM at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 719 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009, enter from 27th Avenue. Flowers are welcome or “Donations in the memory of Jeff Rivera” can be made to Sun City Animal Rescue, Inc., 7150 North 110th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85307 623 872-7941.
Nicole Anderson
Still miss you, Jeff. My grandmother is going to be buried not too far from you tomorrow morning. I’m going to put some flowers on your grave tomorrow. You were taken way too early.
Blas Guillen
I can’t believe Jeff is not with us anymore. Jeff and his mother gave me a place to go after school when we attended Camelback H.S. I wish I would have been able to say goodbye and tell Celia what wonderful job she did raising Jeff
Jeff, I was in awe of how you played the saxophone, you inspired me and mentored me. Now two of my boys play the saxophone, and they are really good. They know who you are, your legacy lives on my friend.