Jerome Clark Rivers

A lifelong resident of Columbia, SC, Clark, as he was known to family and friends, was born on July 28, 1961. He was a member of the first graduating class of Richland Northeast High School in Columbia and received a BA in Religious Studies from the University of South Carolina in 1994. Clark remained a loyal Gamecocks fan throughout his life. In his last years he could always be found wearing Gamecock apparel and cheering for whatever sport was in season.

Clark was a man with varying interests and talents. An avid nature lover, he enjoyed fishing, sharing his love of sailing with his family and friends, and spending time outdoors. Buoyed by a sense of adventure, Clark sought opportunities for world travel, and combined his strong Christian beliefs with cultural exploration through mission trips to Mongolia, Costa Rica and various states throughout the US. Long known for his independent streak, Clark’s eclectic approach to life was embodied in his diverse occupational choices, friends and life choices.

Clark was blessed to be loved and cared for by family friend Betty Sutton for the last decade of his life. In his final, frail years Betty surrounded Clark with her own love as well as a hand-picked team of exceptional caregivers--Wilma, Vanessa and Taneda--who nurtured Clark through feeding, physical attention, and inspiring compliments of his every effort.

Clark is survived by his mother, Janice Park Rivers, of the Isle of Palms, SC; his sister and brother-in-law, Grier Rivers and Kamaljit Singh of Beaufort, SC; his niece and nephew-in-law, Shantell and Brian Graziano and their son Callum of Haleiwa, HI; and his dear friend and caregiver, Betty Sutton. He was predeceased by his father, David Blair Rivers, and brothers, Arthur David Rivers and Blair Park Rivers.

A Celebration of Life will be announced and held in the spring of 2019 in Columbia, SC. If friends wish to acknowledge Clark’s life they can do so with a gift to the Clark Rivers Scholarship or Rivers’ Kids Scholarship, both of Midlands Tech, Columbia, SC or a charity of their choice.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.