Robert Gene Rivers

Robert Gene Rivers, 73, of Moss Bluff passed away at 1:10 AM on Tuesday, January 03, 2017 in his residence.

Mr. Rivers was born on April 4, 1943 in Jasper, TX and resided in Lake Charles since 1956 where he was a graduate of LaGrange High School.  He continued his education at McNeese State University and East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX on basketball scholarships.  Mr. Rivers proudly served our country in the US Army.  He was owner and operator of the family business “Rivers Fence Company” for over 50 years. 

He was honored to be Jean Lafitte for Contraband in 1977.  Mr. Rivers was a member of the Lake Charles Lodge #165 for over 50 years where he was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and also a member of Habibi Shriners. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son, from Louisiana and Texas all the way to Alaska.  Mr. Rivers was affectionately called “Chief” by his friends.  He will be remembered as an incredibly kind, generous man with a giving spirit. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Belinda Hebert Rivers of Moss Bluff; son, Jace Rivers (Christie) of Austin, TX; step son, Brian Rossitto of New Orleans; brother, James Rivers (Suzanne) of Longville; sister, Lisa Rivers-Weeks of Lake Charles; mother of his son, Lynda Rivers Bauer of Austin, TX; and a precious granddaughter on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Violet and Doyle Rivers; an aunt, Harriett Whitmire; and an uncle, Robert Rivers.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ron Lewis and his staff and also to the ICU unit at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

Cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home.  A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children Burn Care, http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/en/donate.