Jose E. Rivas-Urbina Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jose Edwin Rivas, age 41, was called to his eternal heavenly home on April 18, 2022, after a long and hard-fought battle against a difficult illness. Until the very end, Jose faced each hardship with extraordinary courage, strength, dignity, and unyielding grace. Jose was born on December 17, 1980, in Soyapongo, El Salvador. He was brought to Los Angeles, California as a young child after being diagnosed with leukemia. A warrior from birth, Jose overcame leukemia, and spent most of his life in Los Angeles. In 2007, Jose moved to Clinton, Missouri to pursue a career as a truck driver. He treasured the countless friendships formed there and on the road before moving to Joplin in 2018. Jose was an exceptionally beautiful soul, and he touched the lives of everyone that had the joy of knowing him. Music was his greatest passion. A truly gifted musician, Jose played the piano by ear, composed his own songs, and had an incredible voice. He had an adventurous spirit and traveled to over forty states during his career, always taking the time to stop, explore, and to make meaningful connections with anyone he met along the way. Tragically, he leaves behind his four children: Marissa, 17; Anthony, 16; Sean, 15; and Christian, 9, of Clinton, Missouri. He absolutely adored spending time with his children, and loved them fiercely. They were his single greatest motivation and happiness. Jose is also survived by Alicia, his wife, best friend, and “love of a thousand lifetimes”. They spent nearly ten years together – the rest of his life, and the best of hers. Other survivors include: his brother Nelson Guerra and sister Daisy Rivas, both of Palmdale, California; his beloved Tia Carmen; and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his beautiful mother, Daisy Genara Urbina, and grandparents. A Celebration of Life is tentatively planned for the beginning of June. In lieu of flowers, donations to help with final arrangements can be made directly to Jose’s family.