Gilbert Rivas Gilbert Rivas, 76, died Sept. 16, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on May 31, 1933, to Antonio and Guadalupe Rivas and raised in Kingsville.

He married his wife, Jesusa, of 55 years on Oct. 4, 1953.

Survivors include his wife, Jesusa Rivas; his children, Mary Ann (George) Rodriguez of Corpus Christi, Norma Rodriguez of Kingsville, Ruben Rivas of Kingsville, and Belinda Ochoa of Brownsville; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren; sister, Elia (Willie) Ybarra; brothers, Jesus Rivas, Rey (Olga) Rivas, Hector Rivas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held Sept. 18 at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary with a rosary recited that evening.

A procession departed the funeral home Sept. 19 for a Mass of Christian burial at St. Martin’s Catholic Church.

Burial followed at Chamberlain Cemetery.