We regret to announce the passing of Jose Francisco Rivas (Frank, Poncho, Grandpa Cowboy) of Ehrenberg Arizona. Jose passed away on May 10, 2022, in Kingman Arizona at the young age of 85.  He was born May 10, 1937, in Arizona to Rafael and Sally Rivas, he was one of six children. Jose was an enrolled tribal member of the Tohono O'odham Nation from the Pisinemo District.

Jose grew up in his early years with his grandmother Juanita Morales in Sonora and later the Nation and in the surrounding areas of southern Arizona. He attended Toltec School in Toltec, Az and Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, Ca. In 1969 Jose and his wife Delphina (Cindy) and their five children moved to Ehrenberg Arizona and that is where he built his life with his family.

In 1978 Jose started a boxing team called the Ehrenberg Boxing Club at his home residence his children, and kids from the surrounding areas of Blythe, Poston, Ripley, and Ehrenberg were on the team. His team was very successful and went on to take Arizona Copper Gloves Championship, California Golden Gloves Championship, PAL Gloves Championship of New Mexico, and Nevada Las Vegas Regionals. His team members also competed in the Olympic Trials of the United States.

Mr. Rivas was an operator engineer with the union for more than twenty years in Arizona and California areas. Then in 1991 he began his employment with FNF Construction as a heavy equipment operator and worked with the company for more than twenty years as well. During his years with the company, he paved many highways and freeways. FNF was his life and second home, he loved working and he enjoyed long drives on the roads he helped complete. He was very proud of his work at home and on the road. Jose loved going on long drives, listening to music, drinking his tequila (holy water), having as he would say "man to man talks" good conversation, he loved the company of his family and friends and loved to dance and sing. Jose loved to drive and visit Ventura Ca and would often talk about his next trip out there. He is best known for telling it like it is and helping others. He would give his last dollar, the shirt off his back if it was needed. He was a very stern man with a heart of gold and the best grandpa in the world.

Jose is survived by his sister Herminia "Minni" Rivas (Fritz) of Pisinemo, Az, Jose "Billy" Rivas (Gloria) of Parker, Az, Candace "Bea" Rivas of Ehrenberg, Az., Douglas "Chomba" Rivas (Dolores/Lola Rivas) of Ehrenberg, Az., Lisa "Cheecha" Rivas of Cabazon, Ca., and James "Joy" Rivas of Parker Dam, Az., Jose leaves behind twelve grandchildren, and twenty-eight great-grandchildren, his nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife Delphina (Cindy) Rivas, mother and father Sally and Rafael Rivas, his grandmother Juanita Morales, his brothers, Thomas, Manuel, Fernando Rivas and sister, Julia Quintero (Rivas). He is also preceded in death by his daughter Pamela Barraza Rivas, his son Milford Rivas, and great granddaughter Sasha Marie Rivas.

A celebration of life will be held for Jose on Friday May 20-21 from 12 PM- to 12 PM the following day at family home residence 48792 Sourdough Rd SP #57 in Ehrenberg Arizona. Come stop by and say your final farewell and send him on his next journey.