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Daniel Joe Rivera was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on December 26, 1939 and went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 27, 2026 at his home in New Braunfels, Texas. Dan graduated from Plainview High School in 1957 and then attended Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. Dan transferred to Eastern New Mexico University and worked during the summers at Glorieta Baptist Assembly. In June of 1961, Dan graduated from ENMU with a major in Spanish, and minor in French and Psychology. From 1961-1964, Dan served in the U.S. Army as Assistant Chaplain, stateside and later in Nuremberg, Germany. In May 1963 he married Gloria Chavez in Combes, Texas and the couple moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in July 1964. It was here in Albuquerque that the couple gave birth to their two daughters, Dina Ruth and Della Grace. In 1970 Dan and Gloria moved to New Orleans so that Dan could pursue graduate studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The family moved to Texas in June 1974 when Dan enrolled in the College of Education to later obtain his doctorate at The University of Texas at Austin. Weeks after he graduated with his doctorate, Dan and the family moved to San Antonio, Texas where he was inaugurated as the President of the Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary. He served at the seminary for 12 years. Throughout his career in higher education, Dan achieved numerous awards and recognitions. But his greatest accomplishment was inspiring a generation of Hispanic men and women to gain higher education and to find their place in serving God’s Kingdom. After his work with the seminary in San Antonio, Dan served as: Vice Chancellor at Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX President of Texas State Technical College in McAllen, TX President of the Valley Baptist International Academy in Harlingen, TX And finally, as Director of the New Braunfels center for Howard Payne University Dan is survived by his siblings: Jim Rivera, Ruth Howard and Norah Rhodes; 2 daughters: Dina Dreessen and husband, Paul; Della Stevens and husband, Will; 3 grandchildren: Denae Arellano and husband, Giovanni; Jacob Stevens and wife, Madison; Haven Pierce and husband, Trevor; and his 5 great-grandchildren: Isabella, Aliyah, and Gianna Arellano, Judah and Annie Pierce, and Maya Stevens. A Celebration of Life for Dr. Rivera will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 10am at Oakwood Church, 2154 Loop 337, New Braunfels, Texas, 78130. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the New Braunfels Christian Ministries Kids Club, 1239 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, Texas 78130 ~ https://nbcm.org/give-for-kids-club/

Tributes

Daniel Joe Rivera

December 26, 1939 - July 27, 2026