Haskell Ray Riley

Haskell Ray Riley, age 81, of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023. He was born on a Cherokee Reservation in Oklahoma. In high school, he played on the football team. His high school coach also carried the name, Haskell but went by the name of Hyke. From that time on, our beloved Haskell adopted the same nickname which we affectionally know him as “Hyke.”

Hyke served in the United States Army for a three-in-half year tour and was honorably discharged. Following his military service, Hyke went into the newspaper business in California with a couple named Harold and Flo.

One of Hyke’s memorable experiences in that business that he recalled was the day that actress Marilyn Monroe died, and he sold a record number of newspapers on that day. He also, on occasion, invited the local newspaper delivery young men to accompany him to a football game.

Hyke later would go into the pet bird business after he had spent some time, nearly a month, searching for parakeets to buy for his two daughters, Karen and Shelly; yet everywhere he went, the parakeets were sold out. He encountered a kind elderly lady in the neighborhood who happened to raise parakeets, and she sold him some parakeet birds as well as took the time to show him how to raise them.

Hyke was a lover of nature; he enjoyed being outside, watering the plants, and often talked about trees and plants and how fast they grow. He also loved to tell jokes and would randomly come up with some poetic gestures, so making friends with Hyke was rather easy. He loved the game of ping-pong and teaching his children how to play pool.

Hyke is preceded in death by both of his parents, Bert and Velma; two brothers: Doyle and Royce; sisters: Diane and Beverly; and his daughter, Karen. He is survived by his spouse, Mary; son, Joseph, and daughter-in-law, Nicole; grandchildren: JoJo and Meagan; son, Joshua, and daughter-in-law Dara; and daughter, Shelly.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Riley family.