Matthew Joseph Riley Jr

Matthew Joseph Riley, Jr. of Fort Bend County passed away at 12:30 am Aug. 2, 2013, at Optimum Personal Care in Missouri City, TX, at the age of 79. Born in Houston, TX, on Nov. 17, 1933, to Matthew Joseph Riley, Sr. and Nita Faye McIntyre (Stokely) Riley. Matthew grew up in Houston attending Catholic school, graduating from St. Thomas High School in 1951.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Faye and Matt, as well as his step-father, Harold James (Red) Volk. Also the first of his beloved nephews, Matthew James Riley.

Matthew is survived by his brother John Russell Riley, Sr. and wife Linda, his sister Helen Louise Riley Delome and husband John Colton, nephews: John Russell Riley, Jr., Harold Edgar Riley, Patrick Colton Delome, nieces: Carol Fennelly, Patti Ann Riley Newman, Kimberly Annette Delome Paulk, 10 great-nephews, 6 great-nieces, 2 great-great-nephews, and many cousins and friends.

He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5678. He is an honorary life member with approximately 37 years in this council.

Matthew served in the US Coast Guard for 23 years. He was released from active duty in 1955 when Matt Sr. died suddenly from a massive heart attack. He remained in the Reserves until 1975.

Our beloved Matt Jr. at age 21 took over the care of the family and just kept on taking care of us as the family grew. He lived for and through all of us, especially all the nephews and nieces of each generation. He never missed a birthday party, Easter, or Christmas get-together. Family ties were very strong in him.

Matthew worked in the two businesses that Houston is built on – cotton and oil. He started at Anderson & Clayton, Co. in 1951 right after graduation in the fiber & spinning lab at the Cotton Exchange Bldg. in downtown Houston. As the price of cotton was deteriorating the price of oil was going up. He then moved to Texaco, Inc. in 1965. He was in accounting, Tank Tables Div. still working downtown on Rusk until the later years when he moved to Westpark and then to Bellaire.

During these working years his passion away from the office was bowling. He enjoyed it so much he joined multiple leagues per week. He went to city, state, and regional tournaments. No matter where he was he went to Mass on Sunday when he was gone. Even some of his friends went to Mass with him – they rode with him so maybe they figured they better get up and go.

He retired early at age 55 in 1988. He enjoyed his retirement. In 1993 he moved to Fort Bend County next door to his sister. He seemed happy out in the country even though he gave up his bowling. One hard adjustment for him was in 1998 when his Mother passed away. She lived with him and he was her caretaker up until that time.

Matthew became slightly ill in Sept. 2005. The man who took us all on vacations couldn’t drive anymore after that, but he still got around ok. He beat lung cancer in 2008. Breaking his hip in 2009 got him down. He couldn’t walk after that and moved into Optimum Personal Care Home in Missouri City where he was well taken care of and loved for the next four years. The staff there is most kind and loving. They miss Matthew as much as the family – he was part of their family.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 7, 2013, 6:00-9:00pm at Earthman Southwest Chapel, 12555 S. Kirkwood, Stafford, TX 77477. Vigil and Rosary at 7:00pm.

Funeral Mass will be Thursday, August 8, 2013, 10:00am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1510 5th Street, Missouri City, TX 77489.

Interment will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.