Mr. George Fredrick “Freddie” Rivers is one of three selected to receive a posthumous award at the annual Sabine Hall of Fame to be held Tuesday, March 25, at the Many VFW Hall, 1738 San Antonio Ave., at 6:30 p.m. Ticket locations are listed below.
The Sabine Hall of Fame Posthumous Award will be bestowed in recognition of Rivers’ decades of dedication, commitment to service and support of the people of Sabine Parish as a local businessman and business owner; a major contributor in the growth of the building industry; and a community philanthropist. His decades- long advancement of business and community have remained deeply rooted through generations of family and business.
“Freddie,” as he came to be known, was born Aug. 22, 1940 in Zwolle. He was the firstborn of a set of twins born to Reasing and Margie Sepulvado Rivers. During his formative years, he acquired and developed a strong work ethic and discipline working the fields and farm of his grandfather, Dora “Papa” Sepulvado. He attended both Leesville High and Ebarb High. Both an athlete and an academic, he graduated from the latter. Coming of age, he was an apprentice then general carpenter for the family business, Reasing Rivers Construction Company. His construction work would take him to various states where he would refine his carpentry skills. If you knew Freddie then you would know that, regarding carpentry and calculations, he was a Type A personality. Measurements and calculations could not, and would not, deviate even a fraction of a millimeter or the work was redone to exact specifications. This earned him a stellar reputation in the field and in future endeavors.
After 12 years working in the construction industry, Freddie, at age 26, began providing inspections for the Federal Housing Authority. A pivotal and life-altering event occurred around 1972 when a fellow builder approached Freddie and expressed his concerns regarding difficulty acquiring building materials. The builder suggested, considering Freddie’s expertise in the construction field, that he consider marketing building supplies. In 1972, Freddie and Ann embarked on a new journey and Rivers Builders Supply was established. An initial small storefront nestled near his home, Rivers Builders Supply began expanding, flourishing and diversifying. To accommodate the expansion and to benefit its customer base, Rivers Builders Supply in 2005 moved to the outskirts of Zwolle into a 70,000 square-foot facility housing multiple delivery trucks, forklifts and a substantial complement of professional employees.
On the personal front, after traveling for work assignments, Freddie would return to Zwolle to attend dances. He possessed a tremendous, eclectic love for music and a penchant for dancing. He would often attend dances sponsored by St. Joseph Catholic Church. It is there he would meet and eventually, in 1963, marry his soulmate, Martha “Ann” Martinez. One year later they would begin their family, which grew to four children: Jeff, Ron, Melinda and Shannon. They were subsequently blessed with nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Their lifelong devotion came full circle when both Freddie and Ann, joined by family and friends, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the very place they first met. His decades-long pillar of success, his beloved wife, Ann, passed away in 2020.
Freddie was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he served as a minister of the Eucharist, member of the Finance Committee, Building Committee and an usher. He was also instrumental in the church bazaar and church prayer garden.
Freddie assisted with the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta donating materials and supplies and coordinating efforts for the maintenance of festivities. He and Ann also chaired the committee organizing the sale of tamales. He was honored as 1999 King of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta and would later become a member of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta’s Board of Directors.
Freddie was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He celebrated all the holidays in grand style with Christmas light displays, Halloween decor, Easter celebrations, New Years and 4th of July fireworks. It was never about showmanship. The goal was to always make life magical for his family and his community.
Freddie passed away on Nov. 14, 2023. He left behind a family legacy to perpetuate his dreams, in all their various forms, and a community he treasured. Perhaps the Rivers Builders Supply slogan states it best... he lived a life of “Quality, Service and Relationship”.
Rivers will be recognized with a Posthumous Award by the Sabine Hall of Fame at their annual banquet on March 25, at the Many VFW Hall at 1738 San Antonio Ave. at 6:30 p.m.
Banquet tickets are available at Nichols, the Office of Sen. Alan Seabaugh, 515 S. Capitol in Many; or from Robert Gentry, (318) 332-8653; Martha Henderson, (318) 294-3362; or Pete Abington’s office, (318) 2564344. All table requests please text or call Laurie Gentry at (318) 332-7873.