John Thomas Rivers, born on August 10, 1945, in Portsmouth, Virginia, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was the beloved husband to Vivian Ann Rivers who passed away in 2015 and loving father to Michael Thomas Rivers.

Johnny, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

After his graduation from Albemarle High School in 1963, He then went on to receive his BS, in management from Virginia Tech University graduating in 1967. Anyone that knew him knew he loved his Hokies. After graduation he joined the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, MD where he spent 13 years as IT Manager. In 1980 he became the Deputy CIO for Naval Sea Systems Command until he retired in 1999. Once he retired from his government position in 1999, he joined Multimax Inc as Senior Vice President. In 2006, after Multimax was purchased by Harris IT services, John stayed on as the Business Operations Manager until he finally retired in 2014.

Upon his final retirement, he moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina to be closer to his grandkids. His three grandkids were the light of life, and he tried to spend as much time watching them participating in the things they loved to do. You could always catch him at a soccer, football, basketball, lacrosse, or baseball game, swim meet, cheer competition, dance recital, or piano recital. He loved volunteering for his grandkids elementary school or teaching their Bible school classes at church. There were very few events he missed, spending as much time with them as possible. He loved our annual family vacation on Emerald Isle every summer.

In his retirement, he also became involved in his Church, joining various groups and committees throughout the church. From volunteering to teach a VBS class to talking to anyone especially other members or clergy from the church and if you were a Virginia Tech alumnus, you gained bonus points in his eyes.

Johnny was preceded in death by the love of his life, Vivian. He is survived by his son Michael, his beautiful daughter in-law Carey Meadows Rivers, his three grandchildren, Jackson Thomas Rivers, Hampton Parker Rivers and Presley Grace Rivers, his brother James Calvin Rivers (Georgia), and sister Vera Rivers Schemering.

Those who knew Johnny will remember him for his infectious smile and overwhelming laughter, his deep-rooted faith in Jesus, and his unwavering commitment to spreading love and kindness to everyone he encountered. He had a rare gift for making others smile and laugh, leaving a lasting impact on all who crossed his path.

The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of John Thomas Rivers will be held on December 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Edenton Street United Methodist Church at 228 W Edenton St, Raleigh, NC with a reception immediately following. The video will be broadcasted live at https://www.esumc.org/livestream

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to: Edenton Street United Methodist Church in his memory.

Submitted by Stan Maupin.