James Robert (Jim) Rivers, 68, passed away at his home in McAlpin on Wednesday, February 25th, following a lengthy respiratory illness. Jim, son of the late William Chastain Rivers and Mary Virginia (Bass) Rivers, was born in Lake City on March 21, 1957. He was a fifth-generation native of Columbia County, but lived in Orlando for many years, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator, including twenty-five years at Orlando International Airport.

An avid outdoorsman, Jim loved and respected the unspoiled beauty of his native North Florida and always planned to return to the place of his birth when he and wife Diane retired. In 2016, they settled in rural McAlpin, where Jim lived until his death.

Jim is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Diane (Daubert) Rivers of McAlpin; one daughter, Jennifer (Rivers) Brazzell and son-in-law John Brazzell of Winter Garden; three granddaughters, Kaitlin Brazzell, Kristin Brazzell, and Ashlee Brazzell all of Winter Garden; two sisters, Sandra (Rivers) Grospitch of McAlpin and Shirley Rivers of McAlpin; one brother, William Chastain Rivers, Jr. of Jennings; three nephews and two nieces; and a host of extended family and friends who mourn his passing.

At Jim's request, there will be no public viewing, funeral, or memorial service, just a simple cremation attended by immediate family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's memory to Haven Hospice at https://havenhospice.com/donate .

Please take a moment to sign the online guestbook and keep the family in your prayers.