Obituary for Warren Rivers

Warren Telford Rivers, lifelong resident of Ponca City, passed Thursday, October 9, 2014 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 72 years of age.

Warren was born February 2, 1942 in Ponca City, the son of Eugene E. Rivers and Delma Elizabeth (Young) Rivers. He attended the Ponca City Public Schools and was a 1961 graduate of Ponca City High School. While in high school Warren was a star athlete in several sports that included football, baseball, track and basketball. He had received many trophies and held track records in both the broad jump and low hurdles for many years. He set the school broad jump record in 1959 which was not broken until 1986, after 27 years going unbroken. He had been employed in the maintenance department at the local carbon black plant before his retirement.

He was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was a former member of the Oklahoma National Guard, 45th Division in Ponca City, and president of the Ponca City Model Railroad Club for many years and vice-president of the Northern Oklahoma Bee Keepers Association. Warren was a former member of the Ponca City Sail Boat Club, having built his own sailboat. He was involved in the Ponca City Playhouse for several years, both in set construction and play participation. He was an enthusiast in slot car racing, remote controlled aircraft and cars.

Warren loved God, his family, sports and never met a stranger. He enjoyed attending church, his model trains and the Bee club.

He is survived by his four children, Todd Rivers of Ponca City, Christopher Renn Rivers of Tulsa, Suzee Rivers Cooper and husband Sam, of Spring, Texas and Julee Rivers of Tulsa; four grandchildren, Tori, Jacqulene, Reagon and Preslee; seven great grandchildren; one brother, Ronald Eugene Rivers and wife Alice and one sister, Beth Rivers. Warren also had a mentoring relationship with a boy named William “Willie” White since 2002; other extended family and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 4 p.m. Monday, October 13, 2014 with Deacon Dick Robinson presiding.