Theodore Russell Rivers

Theodore "Pastor Ted" Russell Rivers, 70, returned to his home in heaven on Jan. 31, 2022 after a hard fought battle with health issues. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in Jesus as his Lord and Savior gave him immense peace in his final days. Ted was a servant at heart. A hero to his family. He was loving, respectful and generous to everyone he met, no matter their background or station in life. He is dearly missed by his family and friends, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his savior. Ted was born to Theodore and his late wife, Patricia Rivers, a flooring contractor and a homemaker respectively, in Oakland, California on March 22, 1951. He was raised in a strict, hard working family. As a teen, Ted worked with his family in the flooring business and in his 20's, 30's and early 40's as an independent contractor for various flooring companies. Ted was blessed with a large and loving family. He married his best friend and love of his life, Jeanette Marcell Jones, on July 18, 1970 in Fremont, California. Ted helped raise his four children with love, discipline and humility. He taught them the pride and honor that is found in hard work and a commitment to doing things right the first time. He often took time to take them fishing, camping or coach their little league teams. In his mid 30's, after witnessing his wife's love of Christ along with the leadership of Pastor Vern Wilkinson, Ted accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior! This began his complete transformation into a faithful servant of God. Ted and Jeanette dedicated their children to God and encouraged them to explore his Word. In his early 40's Ted had a calling to serve the Lord and was led into the ministry by Pastor Keith Williams. Ted attended Shasta Bible College while working full time and serving as the Youth Pastor of Canyon Community Church. After he finished school and was ordained, he signed on with Village Missions where he served three rural communities over 25 years in ministry: Horse Creek Community Church, Willow Creek Bible Church and French Gulch Community Church. Upon retirement from being a full time Pastor, and knowing the rigors of that calling, he founded a new ministry to serve other rural churches and their Pastors. He packed up his wife and dog in a fifth-wheel and took to the road, where he donated his time, labor and resources to repair churches and parsonages in need of repair and at the same time allowing the Pastor and their family some much needed time off, Ted would take over Sunday sermons as needed. His example and passion for Christ led his grandson, Marcus, to follow him into the service of the Lord by sharing the Gospel to those in need. Ted is survived by his wife, Jeanette; his father Ted Rivers; his brother, Dan Rivers; sons Shane Rivers and Ted Rivers; their wives Jayme and Amanda respectively; his daughters Joshlyn Mitchell and Caitlin Rivers; his grandchildren Marcus, Connor, Ashley, Anthony, Aiden, Vincent, Theodore Andrew, Colby and Braelynn. He is preceded in death by his sister, Kathy Young, and by his mother Patricia Rivers. Ted will be buried at the Pollard Flat Cemetery on Feb.18, 2022, with immediate family in attendance. There will be a Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. on Feb. 19, 2022 with a pot luck following at the Canyon Community Church, in Lakehead, California. The family would prefer anyone who wishes to donate flowers, etc. to instead make a donation in his name to Decision Life Church located at 203 Wetzel Way, Yreka, CA 96097 or Canyon Community Church located at 18291 Antler School Rd, Lakehead, CA 96051.

Theodore Russell Rivers

March 22, 1951 - January 31, 2022