Clarence John Rivers, Jr.

Clarence John Rivers Jr., 80, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022.

Clarence John Rivers, Jr. the eldest son of the late Clarence John Rivers, Sr. and Ida Mitchell Rivers was born December 23, 1941; in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Clarence has 3 sibilings- Brother- David Rivers (Donna); Sister- Rosyln Brown (Jerry*); Brother- Edward Rivers* (Janice)
He graduated from 5th Avenue High School in 1962, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

He enjoyed traveling and wished to see the world, shortly after graduation he moved to Brooklyn, New York where he spent a great deal of time with extended family. This is when he made a decision to enlist into the United States Army. Shortly after Clarence began his service as a combat solider, he fearlessly volunteered to serve within the Vietnam War.

Upon his return he soon after relocated to Elyria, Ohio in 1968 where he took a job at the Ford Motor Company- Lorain, Ohio. Through a marital union Clarence fathered 3 children. Clarence John Rivers, III (Shawn); Keith David Rivers & Leslie Jilenne Foster (Lawrence). Throughout his years, he continued his passion to serve within the United States Army and enlisted into the local Army Reserve- Bravo Company 112 Combat Engineers Lorain, Ohio. Where he was a Mess Hall Sergeant well known for "cooking up a storm" and everyone knew not to mess around in his kitchen. In between his hard work, Clarence always supported his family from the football sidelines, band concerts, Thanksgiving trips to Pittsburgh, PA where he enjoyed spending time with family and annual family vacations to Brooklyn, New York to spend even more time with family and friends who where like family. Everyone in Elyria, Ohio knew "Mr. Rivers" with his military baseball cap on or nearby, he was always down for a good prank or any funny joke he saw fit. And if he knew you, he likely assigned you a nickname.

Later Clarence relocated to Louisville, Kentucky where he retired after 34 years of service with Ford Motor Company. He also retired from the Army National Guard as a reservist holding a ranking of Army Sergeant 1st Class/E-7 as he was also an honored Veteran of the United States Army.

He is preceded in death by: His Mother- Ida Mitchell Rivers, Father- Clarence John Rivers, Sr. and Brother- Edward Rivers.

Clarence leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife Melody Rivers. Along with his 3 children, he leaves to mourn his loss his 3 stepchildren: April (Musa) Conteh, Candace Villafanez, Brandon Burkes; 28 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews, family and friends.


Visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Newcomer Cremation, Funerals & Receptions-East Louisville Chapel, (235 Juneau Dr.). His Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, at the funeral home. Following the service the family will receive friends for a repast in the Garden Room of the funeral home from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Burial will take place on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 10:00 am at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery (Central) in Radcliff, Kentucky.

To view Mr. Rivers service live on Saturday at 1:00 pm, please click here.

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