Jerry Lynn Rives

Jerry Lynn Rives, age 58 of Liberty, Texas, passed away Saturday, September 2, 2017. He was born August 22, 1959 in Liberty, Texas to parents Fuzz and Mollie Rives who preceded him in death along with his brother, Gary Rives; and grandchild, Ryan Rives.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 41 years, Janita Rives; daughters, Kandi Fain and husband Ray, and Chasity Rives; extended children, Cheri Bensaid and husband Amine, Wayne Fogle, Nancy Snider, Nathan Snider and wife Summer, Richard Odom and wife Gena; more extended children, Gary Rives, Ernie Rives, Marynn Wheeler-Carrico, Kevin Wheeler, Jason Wheeler, Chris Fregia and Kenneth "the little boy who lives across the road" Bush; brothers, Larry Rives and wife Carol, Ernest Rives and wife Jana, Robbie Fregia and wife Kristi; sisters, Jenny DeJon and husband Lee, and Dollie Williams; grandchildren, Bryanna Welch, Olivia Odom, Jessie Fain, Oliver Odom, Adam Bensaid, Axyl Snider, Dixie Mayon, Emily Anthony, Harold Odom and Virgil "Bittle" Odom; numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry had the biggest heart. He loved people. He thought he was supposed to save the world with that big ol' Jerry smile, and he tried. He liked to hunt and fish, but mostly loved to sit in the woods and talk to God.

A preacher once told Jerry that everybody he touched was like putting gold bricks in a pile. He said, "son everyone you meet, you touch their lives, and you make an emotional impact on them." Another preacher told him "You dont ask for much, just a little extra money for you and Janita to go out on every now and then." The same preacher said, " I see a ring around you and her and it connects at the heart." He said "I have never seen nothing like this before, but you love her like Christ loves his bride and this helps you love others with that greater love." And that my friends he did.

He loved his family and friends and I guess he would do just about anything he was asked. His kids and grandkids thought he could fix anything, and he usually could. He loved to teach the kids how to do things and how to love what they did.

He loved his job and the people that worked with him. He would come home and be on the phone with different people sometimes for hours just laughing and talking. His family was so worried about him working so much during that crazy storm, but Janita told them " You don't understand when it comes to making sure people are safe he's a whole different person, he didn't even know he had heart problems."

He loved what he did and there was no stopping him. He would call Janita every couple of hours to let her know " I'm ok." I think he really had a heart of gold.

Jerry loved to be "first" he always went first on a four wheeler trail or in a mudbog. He had to make sure the trail was safe for all of us. So in his usual fashion he went first. We will miss this great man more than words can say. Thanks to his love and teaching us all, we will all be able to hold fast to our faith, trust God and go on with our lives, just like Jerry would want us to do.

I love you Jerry Rives

Janita

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Pace Stancil Funeral Home, Cleveland, Texas. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 8, 2017 at Pace Stancil Chapel, Cleveland, Texas. Interment will be at Hardin Chapel Cemetery, Hardin, Texas. For those desiring donations may be made to the Liberty County EMS P.O. Box 351 Hull, Texas 77564.