In Memoriam

OSCAR RIVERA
March 6, 1996 ~ November 18, 2019

Oscar Yuri Rivera Yanez, 23, passed away November 18, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Oscar was born March 6, 1996 in Mexico to Oscar Rivera, Sr. and Julieta Rivera/Yanez.

Oscar was affiliated with the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Idabel, OK, and had lived in McCurtain County since 2008. Oscar loved playing basketball and played for the Haworth Lions. He graduated from Haworth High School in 2015.

He enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. Oscars’ favorite past time was being with friends and family, especially his little brother and his nephews. He was always found teaching kids how to play basketball and being a motivational inspiration for others. Oscar absolutely loved being around kids.

He was the owner of the Hookah Lounge in Hochatown and was a DJ. If you were having a bad day, Oscar would light up your day and bring a smile to your face.

Oscar was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandfathers; and an uncle.

Oscar leaves to cherish his memory, his parents, Oscar Rivera, Sr. and Julieta Rivera/Yanez, of Idabel; brother, Jordan Rivera, of Idabel; sisters, Ana Rivera and Christina Rivera, both of Idabel;

Nephews, Chevy and Konnor Braxton, both of Idabel; uncle, Victor Yanez, of Mexico City; along with family in Mexico; a host of other relatives and many, many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be Monday, November 25, 2019 at 11:00AM, at the Idabel High School Auditorium, with Father Steve Austin officiating.

Burial will follow at Denison Cemetery.

Please keep the Rivera family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.

Oscar will be missed by all who knew him.



FUNERAL SERVICE
Idabel High School Auditorium
Monday, November 25, 2019
11:00 AM

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OSCAR'S GUESTBOOK

Jetta White from Idabel ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*Prayers for this absolutely beautiful family. I can not imagine the pain. I do know if God brought you to it...God will see you through it. He needed another amazing angel in Heaven. Godspeed.

Janet Long from Haworth High School ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*Ice Water Bucket Water Challenge - He poured a whole water bucket over me while they videoed & Coach Griffen still laughs about it taking my breath away! Gave us so many Great Memories of Lions Basketball #beAlion #LionPride
Loved OscarGorgeous SmileBeautiful HeartRest In Peace

Princes'Sai Johns from Idabel ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*DJ O...You will be missed...

Taylor Rivers ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*RIP O you were such a beautiful soul! Prayers to your family

Tammy Jamison from Forest Grove ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*We was so proud of him and I took my mom by to see his bar... she was so happy for him and he took the time to explain what everything was to her and her friend... love you Oscar

Michelle Kirkpatrick from Idabel, ok ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*Such a special young man. So sorry for your loss.

Carrie Cofer from Ada, Oklahoma ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this horrible time of loss. I know all to well the pain of losing a child it is completely unbearable. I will continue to lift you and your family up in prayer! "O" was such a good kid, my girls and us all just loved him and that bug smile! Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayer. Rest forever in peace "O"

Roberta Dinger from Idabel ok ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*The world is losing without you in it. It is so surreal that you are gone. I keep having to catch myself from questioning why god would take you away from us when you were such a positive person who was always looking to succeed in everything you did and striving to do better every day. You were a great role model to everyone you came into contact with. We will never forget you. You definitely left a mark here on Earth. So young and you accomplished so much I know your parents are proud. Your a legend in my eyes. Watch over us all RIP O

Sha'Quoia Compton from Idabel, OK ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*My thoughts & prayers are with you all.

Kasey Needham (Scott) from Haworth Oklahoma ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*Oscar, there was never a day that went by that you weren’t helping someone!!!! You where always kind and had the biggest and brightest smile!!!! Rest easy buddy!! You won that Golden ball in Heaven now and your playing on God’s team!!

Yolanda Jones from Idabel ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN "O"!!

Kayla McGee from Haworth, OK ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*Prayers for the Rivera family.

Greg&Marie Wharry from Idabel ok ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*Oscar was a joy to watch playing basketball. Just talking with him he had alot of kind words. Such a sweet and kind person. He will truly be missed. Prayers for the family.

Sache from Idabel ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*My deepest condolences to his family.. I’ll keep y’all in my prays Oscar was truly a great person always kept a smile on his face

Rodneshia Broades from College Station, TX ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*You introduced me to your moms famous horchata and (horchata in general) and I’ve been hooked ever since! Sending love and light to your family. You will be missed, love Rod.

Erin Parks from Wilburton ~ Nov. 21, 2019:
*I'll never forget you kiddo. You and your friends were looking for a girl to play with y'all in the Choctaw Festival co-ed tournament. Y'all just so happened to stumble upon my daughter while in line for the rides. You kids played your hearts out. I remember it being so hot that my daughter started throwing up and your nose was bleeding everywhere. lol y'all kids were so tough, but y'all came home with first place! I watched you play ball several times and I was always impressed. You always kept your composure and honestly one of the most enjoyable kids I ever had the pleasure of watching play ball. You will be so missed. I can't even believe I'm sitting here typing this out. Love you kiddo. It's a little easier knowing you're playing ball on streets of gold right now. Rest easy O.

*Erin Parks also shared an image

Lorrie Dedmon- Davis from Tom, Oklahoma ~ Nov. 20, 2019:
*Oscar was beautiful soul.Loved by so many, because he carried jimself in way of love. Rest in love Oscar. Praying for your family.

Becky Parsons from Idabel ~ Nov. 20, 2019:
*Oscar was one of a kind and made his presence known when he walked into a room, he also made your presence known as he was such a friendly, happy soul. Prayers and condolences to his family. Love to all, Ms. Becky

Becky Carper from Valliant ~ Nov. 20, 2019:
*A true angel on earth

Becky Carper from Valliant ok ~ Nov. 20, 2019:
*Fly with the angels sweet boy

*Becky Carper also shared an image

Dana Lane from Idabel ~ Nov. 20, 2019:
*My deepest condolences to the Rivera family and all those whose lives were touched by Oscar. He was an incredibly special young man. You are all in my heart and in my thoughts.

The Red B Crew from Idabel ~ Nov. 20, 2019:
*He was all that is good and had a smile that we will never forget.

Linda Plemmons from Idabel, OK ~ Nov. 19, 2019:
*I am so sorry for your loss. Oscar was a good example of someone who loved his family and put them first. His love for helping others will always be remembered. Thoughts and prayers are being sent your way.

Memorial Provided By
BRUMLEY FUNERAL HOME
500 N Park Drive
Broken Bow, OK 74728
580-584-3344

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RIVERA WILL FOREVER BE KNOWN AS McCURTAIN COUNTY GREAT
By Taylor Skieens

The untimely passing of Oscar Rivera earlier this week sent shockwaves through the sports world of southeast Oklahoma. Rivera had long been known around McCurtain County as one of the basketballs greats from the area.

I remember sitting in the stands of many Haworth Lions basketball games as the team dominated the basketball scene for three straight seasons. I have always been a fan of basketball and found myself admiring the playing style of young sharpshooting point guard from the small Haworth community.

Rivera, in my mind, revolutionized the point guard position in high school basketball, Oscar was big for the position but played it with the same grace as Los Angeles Laker great Magic Johnson. His uncanny ability to see the floor often resulted in highlight reel passes.

Oscar was not only one of the greatest floor generals I have ever had the opportunity to watch, he also had one of the smoothest shooting strokes to ever hit the hardwood. Rivera could fill up the scoreboard on any given night and was a pure joy to watch with the ball in his hands.

The legend of 'O' will forever be ingrained in the deep roots that is McCurtain county basketball. The stories of Oscar on the hardwood will always be focal points of barbershop talk and flashback moments when the MC-6 conference was in its prime.

Early in my career with the McCurtain Gazette as a Sports Editor, I had the privilege to catch up to Oscar at many local basketball events. Oscar was passionate about the youth of southeast Oklahoma basketball.As watched the game through the lens of his camera, that million-dollar smile and passion for the game lit up a many gymnasium.

Oscar and I spoke about the talent level in McCurtain county and about his upcoming business ventures. I learned that 'O' poured passion into everything he laid his hands on. His positivity about life was infectious and his ability to see the bright side of life pushed many to be better people.

Former McCurtain Daily Sports Editor, Brad Reesing had the privilege to cover Oscar on the basketball court during the Lions three straight State Tournament appearances. Reesing had the following to say about the life of Oscar Rivera:

I remember a game in the state tournament, when Oscar was only a freshman. He gave the Lions a big spark off the bench with his 3-point shooting. He was also diving for loose balls in the backcourt in the state title game, when the Lions almost made an improbable comeback in the final minute. He went on to have a decorated career, perennially one of the top performers in the MC-6 Conference. But that's just part of it. You can't talk about Oscar without mentioning his smile and personality.

When my youngest son, Trase, was battling cancer, Oscar would ask about him before talking about sports. Many people showed care for Trase, but it always struck me how concerned Oscar was, considering he was a high school student at the time. He had genuine compassion.

Oscar became a part of McCurtain County sports folklore. He had a memorable name, an unforgettable smile, faithful fans and a soft shooting touch that haunted opponents near and far. Just last Friday, while stopping at a McDonald's in Okmulgee, a fan of Preston's basketball team and I relived some of those old battles between the Lions and Pirates while waiting for our food. The man's face lit up when he spoke of Rivera and what he did on the court. Yeah, Oscar leaves behind a legacy on the hardwood that will be recalled for decades to come in Oklahoma.

John Harjo was one of Oscar's first coaches at Forest Grove middle school and had remained a friend to Rivera for many years. Harjo, in a social media statement, recalled the impact Rivera had on many in the community...

His smile was infectious. He could light up an entire room just by flashing his pearly whites. He could light up a scoreboard with his basketball skills. He could make you smile when you were sure you didn't want to. He was always a family person. He always had his family on his mind, always. He was a hustler, always a businessman. He had the greatest heart. I was so proud of the man he had become; I think we all were. He left a lasting impression on everyone he ever encountered. He was just that type of person. He was an amazing athlete at every sport he tried, but he loved basketball. He was a great student. He was a hero to little kids who watched him play and who he coached. He was a hero to his siblings and his parents as well. He was also one of my heroes, just like all my own kids are and my FG kids were. His dad was his hero. His mama has his heart. We learned a lot from one another. I'm proud that he called me coach every time I saw him. Pray for his family because they need as much love as they can receive right now and for a long time to come. I'm going to miss you boy, love you Oscar.

It is hard to comprehend the impact that a high school athlete can have on a community if one is not on the inner circle of organized sports. Oscar was the poster child a hometown hero. He never spoke of his greatness and always looking for the next great high school game.

Rivera on many nights could be found on the hardwood of his local basketball gyms searching for a pick up game of hoops. Oscar stayed involved with the youth of southeast Oklahoma as a coach, friend and mentor.

We all speak of the great athletes from the 70's, 80's and 90's that called McCurtain County home. I am fortunate enough to one day tell my children of the four-year span in which I got to witness one of the greatest point guards to ever lace up the sneakers.

I will tell stories of an over-sized guard who changed the game of basketball, a player who appeared to see the game in slow motion. The name 'O' will forever be etched alongside the greats of southeast hoops.

The next time you see a 6'2" kid on a small town McCurtain County court with dreams of being a point guard, just think back to those Haworth Lions seasons with Rivera in the driver's seat of one of the greatest four year span of any team in the history of southeast Oklahoma basketball.

McCurtain Daily Gazette
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Page Five

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OSCAR"S LEGACY

Not many people can touch as many lives as Oscar did. I’m not talking a few here and a few there, he touched everyone he EVER ENCOUNTERED! His infectious smile, lit up every room he ever walked into! Not a single soul can speak a negative thought about him! He had a huge heart, willing to help where help was needed! That can’t be all human, that is the spirit of God’s goodness! Until someone steps up and tries to prove me wrong, this is what I will believe! He was too good, to not be an angel! I don’t know what his task on earth was meant to be, but if it was to touch 1000s of people, to let them see there is goodness in the world, to bring joy to so many lives, to make a mark, and leave a footprint in the world, well, it’s no wonder God said, come home my faithful child, because he did all of that and more! We are all blessed to have been in the presence of God’s goodness! We have been blessed by Oscar “O” Rivera! And I thank you right now Father God, thank you for sending this precious jewel straight from the crown of God, to let us have him be a part of our lives, to give us the chance to see what a true angel on earth really is. Lord, it’s hard for us to let go, if it was a choice given, he would still be with us. You see and know our hearts, you know they are broken Father God, and some of our spirits are crushed at the core! Lord, I pray for his family most of all, their pain is undeniable and your mercy is needed. Father God I pray you wrap them with your love, bring comfort that only you can give. Give us peace in knowing, you blessed us with the presence of a true angel, and his journey had been completed, may his crown be large, and covered with many jewels, in Jesus name, amen