WICHITA, KS
Lawrence "Dub" William Rivers, II, born on May 26, 1939, husband of Mary Lou Rivers of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2013 after a prolonged battle with cancer and kidney failure. Visitation 5-7 pm, Rosary 7 pm, Friday, June 21 at Baker Funeral Home, 100 S. Cedar, Valley Center. Mass Service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 22, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 3030 N. Amidon, Wichita. He is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Rivers, and father, Lawrence Rivers I. Larry married Mary Lou on January 29, 1960. They lived in many different cities while Larry worked for Boeing Military Aircraft, eventually settling in west Wichita to raise their family. During this time he worked for the William Wrigley Jr. company as the sales representative for the states of Kansas and Oklahoma. In 1976 they moved to a much larger property next door to Mary Lou's parents near Valley Center. The following year, they started RIVCO, a family business selling gas barbecue grills, wood stoves, fireplaces and accessories. Larry and Mary Lou Rivers were instrumental in founding the area west of downtown known as Delano. Cars were his life, and "The Little Jewell," a red 1954 Kaiser Darrin sports car purchased in 1958 was his favorite. Many family cars came after and the pride and joy of his later years was a 1953 Studebaker. Larry like to show off his antique sports cars at many local car shows. Other survivors are his children, Rex William Rivers, Stephanie Ann (Jody) Tafoya, brother Ronald Freeman Rivers, all of Wichita, two grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials should be sent to the Larry Rivers Memorial Fund at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com