Gabriel Rivas

Gabriel Rivas III
Born May 9, 1954-August 5,2020 66 years old

Gabe went to meet his Lord and savior with open arms on August 5, 2020 after complications due to Covid19.

Gabe was a proud graduate of Roy Miller High School and Alumni member. Gabe studied photography at East L.A. College before returning to work side by side with his parents at Gabriel Rivas Photography Studio for 40 years. He studied with National known photographers such as Bill Stockwell and Monte Zucker and the late Rocky Gunn. He also studied in seminars with National known photographers from Mexico and Canada. He was a past member of the National Photographers Association of America and Texas Professional Photographers Association. Gabe leaves a legacy of his contributions that he devoted to a lifetime and accomplished numerous achievements. Gabe was a First Vice Chair of Del Mar Board of Regent, since November 2000 and served till 2006 as Board President during that 6 year term for 4 years. He was appointed in August 2007 to the District 1 seat when it became vacant and then ran for the seat in 2008 for a second full term. In 2018 he was re-elected to represent District 1 for a term that would have run through 2024. He also served as a board member for Amistad Health Center. He was a member and past President and District Director for LULAC Council 1 and was voted “Man of the Year” in 1984, 1986 and 1987. He also attended the local Citizens Police Academy. He was a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and City Chamber of Commerce. He was past board chairman of Leadership of Corpus Christi Alumni Association and a graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi, Class XV. He served on the City of Corpus Christi Charter Revision Commission, City of Corpus Christi’s Minority Business Owners Commission, Landmark Commission, Sister City Committee and Human Relations Commission.

Gabe is preceded in death by his father Gabriel Rivas, Jr and brother Edward J. Rivas, his paternal grandparents Gabriel and Maria Rivas and maternal grandparents Manuel and Paulita Garza.

Gabe is survived by his loving and caring wife Mary Ledesma and step-children, Toney, Cassandra and Rudy(Valerie) and Tray’Von. His grandchildren Rudy, Daniel, and Mia; Nicki and Anthony Soto and great-granddaughter Alina Soto. His mother Paulita G. Rivas, one sister Yvette (Gilbert) Torres, three brothers, David (Julie), Robert, Joseph (Julie) along with several nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and a son Gabriel Rivas IV.

Funeral services will be held at Corpus Christi Funeral Home 2409 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi TX with a public viewing from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. August 17, 2020 with a rosary that evening and burial services at Rose Hill Memorial on August 18, 2020 to be held private. A community memorial service will be held on May 9, 2021. The Rivas family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring prayers and support during this difficult time. Gabe touched each and everyone in some form, way or fashion. He was a great civic leader to the city of Corpus Christi.