Gene E Vivero

On Sunday, February 14, 2021, Gene Vivero, loving husband, father and beloved coach, passed away at the age of 71. He was born on March 2,1949 in Houston, Texas to Elias Vivero and Alice Rodriguez Vivero.  He graduated from North Dallas High School in 1967 where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Janie Maldonado.  They were married for almost 54 years.  Together, Gene and Janie raised their daughters, Sophia, Gena, and Amy and their son, Christopher.  Gene will be remembered for his well-honed sense of humor.  He loved telling and hearing jokes.  He always used humor in his life to make us laugh and see different possibilities in every situation.  

Gene worked for the Dallas Power and Light Co. and retired as a field construction supervisor after 35 years of service in 2001.  In 1975, he helped open Rodarte y Vivero Mexican Restaurant with his mother, Alice Rodarte, his stepfather, Manuel Rodarte, and his siblings Beverly and Dennis. The restaurant was open until 2014. Gene was creative and enjoyed coming up with ideas for inventions.  He held a patent pending for a door and wall protector.

Most knew Gene through his boxing career and Vivero Boxing Gym, which he opened in November 1994. He began boxing as a teen and continued until he was 35 years old.  Shortly after high school, he began training to fight in the evenings after his day job at DP&L.  He started with the Dallas Police Association, and his coaches were Mickey Martinez, Bob Valencia, and Ben Contreras.  He participated in the Dallas Golden Gloves tournament, and in 1971, he won the heavyweight title.  Later, he participated in the Olympic trials.  He was also the Texas AAU champion. 

After opening the gym, Gene began to train young boxers with the help of welterweight world champion, Curtis Cokes.  He later trained his son Christopher and helped him reach the U-19 National Championship.  He trained many male and female fighters that went on to national and international tournaments and professional careers.  Gene believed that boxing taught discipline and other important life lessons. He knew that having the gym helped keep kids off the street and offered a positive outlet for adolescent energy.  He wanted to help young people grow and mature by learning how to work hard and handle themselves in the ring.  Gene was a coach and mentor to many that came through his gym. He volunteered with the Dallas Regional Golden Gloves and The Texas State Golden Gloves Tournaments. Gene was honored with the Masonic Lodge Community Builder Award and was recognized by the United Way/Nuestra Gente program for leadership and community service.

Gene is survived by his wife, Janie; daughters, Sophia Pellegrini (Michael), Gena Egelston (John), and Amy Barrera (Luis); son, Christopher Vivero (Rose); sister, Beverly Rodarte; nieces Kimberly Moreno and Pilar Vivero; nephew, Gerry Vivero; and grandchildren, Angela Pellegrini, Celia Pellegrini, Roberto Pellegrini, James Russell Egelston II, Andrew Adams Egelston, Raq Barrera, Luis E. Barrera, Zico Vivero, Michael Vivero, and Layla Vivero.

The family would like to thank the staff at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Dr. Ehieman Okoruwa, Dr. Wong, and Dr. Sandra Illum for their compassionate and professional care.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the Austin Street Shelter and the North Texas Food Bank.  A public visitation for Gene Vivero will be held on February 25, 2021 from 9am to 3pm at Hughes Family Tribute Center (9700 Webb Chapel Rd, Dallas, TX 75220) followed at 5pm by a private visitation.  The recitation of the Rosary will be at 6pm followed by a Life Celebration service. Live stream links are provided on his memory page at HughesFTC.com. The Mass honoring Gene Vivero will be held on February 26, 2021 at 12pm at St. Monica Catholic Church (9933 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75220).