In the early morning of Monday, August 2^nd, 2021, Paul E. Rios passed away peacefully in his sleep in the comfort of his home in Prague, NE.

Paul was born in Georgetown, TX on May 24, 1946. Many of his favorite childhood memories was growing up in Texas. He loved sharing those memories with everyone. Late in his teens his family left Texas for the great state of Nebraska. It is in Lexington, NE that Paul and his siblings found a place to get into more trouble and make more memories. It is also in Lexington where Paul was introduced to the one person that not only could put up with his troublemaker attitude, but also could put him right in his place. Mary Ann Cervantes met a young Paul Rios on a blind date and from there fate was no longer blind, crazy maybe, but no longer blind. Paul and Mary Ann married in May of 1968 and together were blessed with 3 children. They would soon move from Lexington to a few other towns until they settled finally in Fremont. In Fremont he was active as an umpire for city baseball games, and even coached his son’s city baseball team.

Paul during this time had taken on labor jobs to support his family such as working in a meat packing facility. It was in early 80’s when Paul chose a job that would define him in so many ways. He went to truck driving school classes at night and became the professional truck driver he loved to boast about. So began an over 30 year profession that he put blood, sweat and a lot of cuss words into. He was well known on the CB as Pork Chop. He loved his job and quite enjoyed taking family and friends on trips with him. He also earned a new position for his whole family as the human GPS. Just give him the last town you passed, along with mile marker and he knew where you were and give you directions.

Mary Ann eventually moved on from her job to go full time on the road with Paul. So began their life on the road together. Together they saw the United States from the windshield of a bright red freightliner semi. They would call home telling of their day adventures and what was next. Soon the cries of grandchildren brought Mary Ann and Paul home, more often than not. Paul and Mary Ann ended up settling in Prague, NE to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Paul continued to do some small grain hauling jobs around town until he could no longer. His days before dementia took over was spent with being with his grandchildren, having his morning coffee on a patio, joking with anyone in the post office or gas station, perfecting his salsa recipe and most importantly cheering on his Nebraska Cornhuskers. If anything came next to his love of his wife and family, it was the love of his Huskers.

Survived by his wife of 53 years Mary Ann Rios of Prague, daughters Christina (Randy) Paseka of Prague and Regina (Nick) Bradley of Bellevue; Grandchildren Amber (Keldon) Phillips of Linwood, Andrew Johnson of Omaha, Cheyenne Paseka of Morse Bluff, Skylar Paseka of Wahoo, Madyson Paseka and Noah Paseka of Prague. Great Grandchildren Riley Paseka, Alexis Harris, and Jackson Harris all of Linwood.

Nine brothers Raymond (Adella) Rios of Wahoo, Joe (Hermania) Rios of Kearney, Jesse (Karla) Rios of Gothenburg, Julian Rios Jr. of Fremont, Gabriel Rios of Kearney, Tony (Sandra) Delgado of Lubbock, TX, Roy (Elise) Delgado of Lubbock, TX, Belen (Linda) Escobar of Lubbock, TX and Juan Rios of Lubbock, TX; Ten sisters Linda Reyes, of Fort Collins, CO, Lupe (Don) Jones of West Palm Beach, FL, Irene (Richard) Kacprzicki of Pensacola, FL, Mercedes (Refugio) Bueno of Lexington, Margarita (Larry) Cain of Texarkana, TX, Maria Rios of Lexington, Elia Hernandez of Lubbock, TX, Ortencia (Fernando) Esquibel of Lubbock, TX, and Mary Ann (Joe) Esquibel of San Antonio, TX.

Paul was preceded in death by his son Damon Paul Rios, his parents, Julian L. and Consuelo E. Rios and Virginia Delgado; brother Fred Rios, sister Janie Alvarado; niece/nephews Robbie, Douglas, Zachary, Carol, Julian Paul and Matthew.