Fr. Rivers Aristide Patout III died Monday morning, June 2, 2014 in Houston, TX surrounded by loved ones. He was born to Mary Azzalie Griffis and Rivers A. Patout, Jr. on April 2, 1938 in Galveston, TX. He attended school in Navasota, TX, continued his education at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1960, receiving a BA in Philosophy. He entered St. Mary's Seminary in Houston and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1967.

While serving at Blessed Sacrament, Father Patout became a founding member of the Houston International Seafarers Center. He was the full-time chaplain at the Port of Houston in 1972, a position he retained until his death. In addition, he served in several parishes in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston including: Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph-St. Stephen, Holy Name, All Saints, St. Theresa and St. Pius V.
Rivers became the pastor of St. Alphonsus in 1994, during which time, the parish membership increased in size and became a more dedicated, family community with the addition of a new two-story educational building.

Some of his other ministerial activities included the Diocesan Director of Ministry to Seafarers, a Director of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston's Apostleship of the Sea, past president of The North American Marine Ministry Association, board member of the International Christian Maritime Association, member of the Diocesan Commission for Ecumenism, board of directors of the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Houston and a founding and continuing board member of the Appoline & Simeon Patout Foundation. He served as a chaplain of the Mariners Club, Propeller Club, Transportation Club, the Military Transportation Club and The Notre Dame Alumni Club of Houston. Some awards he received include: Notre Dame Man of the Year and the Notre Dame Exemplar Award from The Houston Alumni Club, Religious Service Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Anchor Award from the Houston International Seafarers Center, Transportation Person of the Year from the Transportation Club, a Certificate of Merit from Homeland Security/ U.S. Coast Guard, a proclamation designating "Rivers A. Patout Day" from Mayor Bill White, and Maritime Person of the Year from both the Propeller Club and the Port Bureau.

Rivers was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by brother, Frank William Patout, Sr., wife Carolene of Houston, their children, Rivers Aristide Patout IV, wife Dora, and son Rivers Aristide Patout V, Frank William Patout, Jr. and Gabrielle Rosamond Patout; sister Elizabeth Azzalie Stone, husband Danny of Navasota; brother John Jared Patout, Sr. of Navasota and son, John Jared Patout, Jr.; sister Mary Fenet Deering, husband Dan of Indianapolis, IN, her children, Mathew Thomas Miller, wife Silvia, daughters Chloe and Luna, Sarah Anne Miller and Andrew Douglas Miller, wife Abbie, children Charolette and Peter. He is also survived by dearest friend, Patricia Rose Nemec of Houston.

He was fun-loving, charitable, and passionate about serving others. He will be missed by many including his parishioners at St. Alphonsus, fellow priests, friends of the Seafarers Center, and Notre Dame Club of Houston. The family expresses their deepest appreciation to those whom have been a part of Rivers' life.

There will be two vigils held on Thursday, June 5. The first vigil will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 9217 E. Avenue L, 77012 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, rosary starting at 3:30 pm. The second vigil will be held at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway, 77002 from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm, rosary starting at 7:30 pm presided by Archbishop A. Fiorenza, D.D.

A funeral mass will be celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 6. A Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

The pall bearers are Fred Nemec, Joe Nemec, Rev. Jan Kubisa, Rev. Ed Able, Rev. Bart Bartnitski, Rev. Dan Warden, Rev. Chester Borski and Rev. Adam McClosky.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials be made to Houston International Seafarers Center, PO Box 9506, Houston, TX 77261 or St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 9217 E. Avenue L, Houston , TX 77012.