James David Riley

James David Riley was born November 22, 1924 to David Barnes Riley and Beulah Jones Riley in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He died August 31, 2012, peacefully, surrounded by his family.

He attended grade school in Ardmore and moved to Oklahoma City. He would have graduated from Classen High School with the class of 1943, but left early because he wanted to join the Navy. He left for basic training in January, 1943, and stopped to watch a Classen basketball game where he should have been playing. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 and was stationed in Jacksonville, FL, San Diego, CA, Guam and Saipan.

After an honorable discharge he attended the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He met and married the former Mary Ann Eldred December 18, 1948.

Jim graduated from OU in August, 1950 and worked in sales until his retirement from Mosler Safe Company in 1986.

One of Jim's favorite activities in retirement was his involvement at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, where he was an active docent for 25 years. He also volunteered his time at the Guild of St. George at St. Paul's Cathedral. He and Mary Ann enjoyed OU football and basketball. They also enjoyed extensive travels around the world.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his daughter, Georgeann and her husband, Bob Dexter of Ardmore, granddaughters Mary Dexter and Ann Dexter, both of Oklahoma City, and many friends at Statesman Retirement Community where he and Mary Ann have lived the past year.

Service of Christian Burial will be at All Souls’ Episcopal Church 1 p.m., Wednesday, September 5, 2012.

Memorials may be made to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 N.E. 63rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 or All Souls' Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK 73116.

The family would like to thank the staff at Tuscany Village for the wonderful care and comfort they gave Jim in his final weeks.