Howard Tracy Rivers passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022, in National City, California. A memorial service will be held for Mr. Rivers at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Omega United Methodist Church. The Rev. Christopher House will officiate. A eulogy will be given by Tony Couey. Mr. Rivers will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Rivers was born in Sumner to the late Howard Delano Rivers and Clara Vinnie Yarbrough. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Louise Jones, Katherine Rivers, and a nephew, Dale Jones.
Mr. Rivers was a 1957 graduate of Omega High School where he averaged 31 points a game in basketball and made the baseball South All-Star team. He received a full scholarship to Brewton Parker Junior College where he made the All American in baseball and basketball.
George Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote that Rivers was the first college player to make the All American in two sports in the same year.
After graduating from Brewton-Parker, Mr. Rivers went on to play at Georgia Southern University, also on a full scholarship where he continued to excel in sports making All State in basketball and three All American baseball teams. After an outstanding performance in the NAIA National Tournament, Mr. Rivers signed a bonus contract with the New York Mets.
Mr. Rivers obtained a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee University making the Dean’s list and honor graduate. In 1997 he obtained a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
Howard was inducted to the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame. Rivers had a distinguished career as a coach, teacher, and school principal.
Mr. Rivers is survived by his wife, Yvonne Rivers; his children, Cary and Dawn Rivers; his niece, Kathy Jones Crumley; four grandchildren, Jimmy, Matthew, Brandon, and Alison; three great-grandchildren, Hailey, Kailey, Mason, and their mother Katie; and his beloved pet kitten, Spunky.