Luis (Papo) Chamorro Rivera, a cherished husband, father and grandfather, passed away on April 10, 2013 in Fayetteville, NC. While it has been 12 years since his passing, we take this opportunity to celebrate his life and the impact he had on all who knew them.

He was a loving husband to his wife Gladys, and a loving father to his two children, Maria (Angie) and Luis (Macho). He was known for his love for his family, his vibrant sense of humor, and his infectious laughter.

Luis was born on August 1948 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to Flor and Carmen Chamorro. She was a graduate of Ponce High School and later earned a degree which allowed to pursue a career in the oil refinery industry. You never met a Ponceño more proud of his hometown and his ‘Leones de Ponce’ (the town’s basketball team).

Luis never met a stranger—he had a smile that made you feel like you’d known him forever and a way of making everyone feel seen and heard. He was the kind of man who always made time: to listen, to laugh, to lend a hand. A natural jokester, he found joy in life’s simple moments and made sure those around him did too.

He loved his family more than anything. He made countless sacrifices to ensure his family had everything they needed, but more importantly, he made sure they always knew they were loved. He was present—not just physically, but emotionally. Whether dancing with his wife in the kitchen, playing on the floor with his grandkids, or watching Law and Order or western films with quiet contentment, he was fully there, savoring each moment.

He had a special way of connecting with his children—watching cartoons on a Saturday morning with his son, reading the encyclopedia with his daughter while sharing a jar of pickles, talking through life’s questions, and celebrating every milestone with pride. When his daughter graduated from college and earned her commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, he stood tall with joy. When his son earned his degree and became a Special Forces Warrant Officer, his heart nearly burst. And as both of his children continued to rise through the military ranks, he beamed—not because of titles or medals, but because he knew the values he had lived by had taken root.

He proudly served his country as a U.S. Army veteran in the Vietnam War—a chapter of his life that instilled in him a profound sense of duty, honor, and service. That same commitment lived on in his children, who were inspired by his example and went on to become career U.S. Army Soldiers themselves. His service was not only a part of his story, but a legacy he passed on with quiet pride and unwavering support.

His loss is felt every single day. The world is dimmer without his laughter, his presence, his heart. But his legacy lives on—in his children, in his grandchildren, and in every life he touched. We are so proud to be his family, and forever grateful to have been loved by him.

Papo is survived by his wife Gladys Pacheco Moret, his children Maria (David) and Luis (Glenda), and his grandchildren Nicole, Luis, Shantall and Cristal. As well as his five siblings, and many nephews, relatives and dear friends. 

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