JOHNNY RIVERS

Johnny Rivers

Johnny Rivers, a longtime resident of Sapulpa and the surrounding area, passed from this life Thursday, July 7, 2005 at Pleasant Manor Nursing Home. He was born Aug. 28, 1923, in Sapulpa, to Alice Thompson Rivers and Archie M. Rivers, Sr.

Johnny attended Sapulpa Schools and he served his Country with honor in the United States Navy during World War 2.

Johnny loved Country Music. He was a vocalist and enjoyed singing with several well known bands, Bob, Johnny Lee and Luke Wills, and other bands including a band of his own. He had a daily radio program and also appeared on television.

Johnny loved adventure and traveled all over this great land, but his shoes always brought him back to Sapulpa. He loved sports, including football, the Nascar races including the Indiana 500. He loved gardening and spent a lot of time bragging about his tomatoes.

Johnny and his wife, Opal Anderson Rivers, were in the real estate business, developing land in the Tulsa area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Alice Rivers; brothers Felix, Raymond and Carl; and sisters Minnie Kelly and Freda Nation.

Survivors include his wife, Opal Anderson Rivers; brother Archie M. Rivers, Jr.; sisters Wilma Mitchell and Marie Gibbs, of Sapulpa, and Evelyn Clark, of Denver; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Johnny was a Christian and he enjoyed the Friday night gospel singing at Pleasant Manor directed by Bobby Howell and members of the Picket Prairie Baptist Church. In many of the serveces he sang his favorite song, "It is No Secret What God Can Do."

Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 11, at Picket Prairie Baptist Church with his brother, the Rev. Archie M. Rivers, Jr. officiating.

Interment will be in Green Hill Memorial Gardens under the direction of Smith Funeral Home.