Don Francis Rios

DON FRANCIS RIOS

 Our beloved, Don Francis Rios, a Soldier for Jesus, also known as Donald Keith Rivers, 82.  A resident of Santa Fe, NM passed away peacefully and went to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 10, 2021.  He was born April 2, 1939 in East Orange, New Jersey. His family settled in New Madison, Ohio.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Donald George Rivers and Grace May Rivers, sister, Diana Gail Rivers and Grandmother Grace Nate.  Don is survived by his church family at Santa Fe Baptist Church and his extended family Ralph and Karla Jaramillo and daughters, Ashley, Whitney, and Tiffaney.  Our Frank was always (OUR BROTHER FRANK).  We cherished over 30 years of wonderful memories together.  It will be of great emptiness left by Brother Frank’s passing.  We will especially remember his gentle spirit and loving nature.  He was a giving man and of GREAT CHARACTER.  (Proverbs 22: 1)

Frank graduated from Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana in 1957.  He attended Purdue University from 1957 to 1961, where he received his Bachelors in Physics.  In 1962 he joined the United States Army and traveled extensively through Europe. As a veteran he treasured serving his country throughout his life. Under the GI Bill he pursued further education at Miami of Ohio University where he received a Masters Degree in Physics.  In the 1970’s Don moved to Santa Fe where he became employed by and later retired in 2002 from the New Mexico State Highway Department.  Frank’s first love was meeting and having a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He loved attending Church services every time the doors were open.  He loved reading the Word of God, singing in the choir and sharing his faith with others.  Frank loved to play golf and loved “clean jokes and puns”.  He loved to go hiking in the Sandia’s in Albuquerque and the Ski Basin in Santa Fe.  He loved to go for walks and had a love for reading.  Frank loved to go out to eat at his favorite restaurant “Applebees” for a good steak. He had a love for model trains and loved to ride on Amtrak and the Santa Fe Rail Runner.  Frank will be truly missed here on earth, but we who have put our Trust and Faith in Jesus Christ will be with the Lord and with Bro. Frank throughout eternity. (Acts 16:31)  Bro. Frank had many friends, including special friends Bro. Randy Mattia, Rick Byrne and neighbor Therese Abeyta.  To the staff of Beehive Homes, Chris, Karina, Sonia, Alina, Shelby, Bea, Alfredo, George, Anaceli and Diana – “THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARE AND KINDNESS TO BROTHER FRANK”.  Thank you Aimee Lowe with (Hospice) Good Samaritan Society Homecare for your care and compassion to Brother Frank.  Due to Covid-19 restraints, the family will hold a private service at the Rivera Family Kiva Chapel.

This service will be live streamed at https://www.viewlogies.net/rivera/XhNuMe39B  enter PIN# 416-758 on Friday, Feb. 19 at 1:00 pm.    Frank’s special friend and Pastor of Santa Fe Baptist Church Victor Gutierrez will officiate.  Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.  Being Brother Frank’s friend made you a better “Human Being”.