James "Jim" Rivers

James “Jim” Rivers, 86, passed away September 27, 2023, at Story Point Assisted Living in Medina. 

Jim was born in Wadsworth, Ohio on June 16, 1937, at home on the Wadsworth Brick and Tile Company, the third of ten children born to C. James & Odessa Hazel (Richardson) Rivers, Sr. both deceased and three sisters born to C. James and Lily Sykes (deceased).

He is survived by sons, Socrates (Susan) Jacksonville, FL and John (Gavin Morrow) New York City; granddaughter, Jasmine Rivers (Lee Green) Savannah, GA; and great-grandchildren, Kailani and Ezra.

Also surviving are sisters & brother, Elizabeth Robinson-Barberton OH, Roberta Fields-Akron OH, Leroy (Brenda) Rivers of Zanesville OH, Zipporah (Stan) King-Atlanta GA, Karen Rivers-Wadsworth OH, Sandra Dunbar, Charlotte (Stanley) Davis, Judy Sykes-all from Akron OH, and sister-in-law, Sue Rivers-Stevenson WA. Predeceased by his parents, his wife, Gwendolyn “Starver” Rivers of 52 years of marriage, and brothers, Linton, Timothy, Raymond and sister, Dolores Garner.

Jim was a member of First Christian Church where he served in many capacities throughout the years as an elder, Sunday School teacher, deacon, choir member, usher and interim choir director.

He was active at the Regional and General levels of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he served as Vice Moderator of the Regional Council Christian Church in Ohio, Chair of the Personnel Committee, the AntiRacism Commission, and the Commission on the Ministry.  In Indianapolis on the General Board, Disciples Home Missions Board of Directors, and the United Christian Missionary Society Board, Christian Church Foundation Board in both United States and Canada.

He had a love of music and directed choirs at Barberton Christian Church, North Hill Christian Church, Magic City Singers and the Wadsworth Community Choir.

He was the Charter President and an active member of the Magic City Kiwanis Club. Other civic duties included: Disaster Relief Mission Trips (New Orleans, LA, Joplin, MO and others), the Wadsworth and Barberton’s Red Cross Boards, Wadsworth City Councilman and a Wadsworth High School Band Booster.

Jim graduated from Wadsworth Senior High School Class of ‘55, earned a BS degree in Elementary Education from Bluffton College and MS degree in Elementary Administration from University of Akron.

 Jim worked at Wadsworth City Schools, H & H Construction Company, Wadsworth Manufacturing Company, Ohio Injector Company and retired as a principal with 31 years of service with Barberton City Schools. He was a Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Scholar for excellence in teaching. After retirement he worked at LifeTouch National School Studios, as an interim principal at Chapel Hill Christian (North), Barberton City and Cuyahoga Falls City Schools.  He was a Barista at Buehler’s.

The family would like to thank the staff at Story Point Assisted Living.

In lieu of flowers remembrances can be made to First Christian Church or Salvation Army of Wadsworth, 527 College St., Wadsworth, OH 44281.

Visitation and service will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at First Christian Church of Wadsworth, 116 Boyer Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281. Visitation from 11am to 2pm with Service starting at 2pm.

To Live Stream the Service, please follow one of the links: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FCCWadsworth/streams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstChristianChurchWadsworthOhio

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