"E.L." Elmer Lloyd Riley

Elmer Lloyd Riley, Jr. (E. L.) passed away and went home to be with His Lord and Savior on May 19, 2025, in Bloomington, CA. He was born on November 29, 1932, in Gadsden, AL to Elmer Lloyd Riley, Sr. and Eva Louise (Gay) Riley. He was the second oldest of six children. E.L. was very easy-going. His siblings describe him being an extraordinarily sweet person who had a mischievous side to him, aggravating his siblings especially his brother Philip. E. L.’s family moved to Glencoe, AL. It was there that E. L. went to high school, graduating from Glencoe High School in 1952. He was a Yell Leader and was voted both most popular and best dressed.

After high school, he joined the US Navy for his love of country and his duty to defend it.

E. L. attained the rank of third-class Electronics mate in his first time on active duty. He worked at various times in the local steel mill. At one time, there was an incident where he risked his own life for the safety of others where several men had perished. E.L.’s US Navy service was combined as Active and Reserves. He achieved many extensive training and specialty certifications, as well as many MEDALS from his service including, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service medal and twice the National Defense Service Medals. He is a Veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He went to work at McDonnell Douglas as a Technical Writer. He later went to work at American Can Company as an Electrician and eventually retired from there. He retired from the US Navy Reserves at the rank of 1st Class E-6 Aviation Electronics on November 29, 1992, with 22 years of total service. E.L. commonly worked multiple jobs providing for his family.

E. L. married the love of life, June Elizabeth (Thomas) Riley, on August 18, 1955. They met shortly after he left the US Navy for the first time when he was 22. At age 15, June’s best friend was his sister, Judy. His mom, Eva, asked him to drive them around for the summer. At a local skating rink he asked to take her home to ask for permission to date her. August of this year (2025), they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

E. L. was a loving and dedicated husband and father. He and June have four children, Stephanie Riley Flamm (David), Jill Riley Sontag (Joe), Jeffrey Riley (Kim) and Scott Riley (Debbie). They have 10 grandchildren, Josiah Flamm (Randi), Jennifer Sontag McDermott (Tim), Julie Sontag McGuire (Max), Sarah Flamm Fruh (Bradley), Joshua Sontag (Rachel), Chris Riley (Maka), Travis Riley (Annika), Angela Riley Walker (Charlie), Jessica Riley MacDonald (Troy), and Andrew Riley (Morgan). They have 21 great grandchildren and their first great, great grandchild is due in November, 2025.

After being transferred by the US Navy from Georgia to Tennessee and back, they were transferred to California. They lived and raised their family in Anaheim, CA. After retirement, they sold their house in Anaheim, CA and moved to Desert Hot Springs, CA, near Palm Springs, CA. They lived in a wonderful resort style community with hot spring pools and fishing lakes. Here they built wonderful memories with their grandchildren when they came to visit. He taught many of them to fish, taught them to drive the golf cart and enjoyed watching them swim in the hot springs pools. They eventually bought a 20 acre property near there and lived a quiet, happy life working and maintaining their little slice of Heaven. If you ask any of his grandchildren, most will say one of their favorite memories is driving with him quickly on Dillon Rd., up and down the little hills that made your tummy flip. He loved hearing them roar with laughter and giggles. They later moved to an apartment on their son, Jeff Riley’s, property and lived there until he passed.

He was a Godly man of patriotism, honor, integrity and was willing to do whatever was necessary to take care of his family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He enjoyed playing practical jokes. They didn’t always have the results he expected, but all was quickly forgiven because he was so loved and never meant anything but fun. He was lighthearted and always saw the good in everyone and everything. He loved music, singing, and had a truly beautiful tenor voice. He loved to sing in quartets, the church choir and when given the chance, with his brothers and sisters. He loved to play the harmonica, the ukulele and to whistle, which he did exceedingly well. He enjoyed working on cars and tinkering with things. He loved the American flag and always had one flying. Even up to the day before he passed, he wanted the curtain open enough to see his beloved U.S. flag flying. Most of all he loved God, his wife and his family.

E. L. will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in passing by his father, Elmer Lloyd Riley Sr., his mother, Eva Louise (Gay) Riley, his brother, Philip Riley, and his sister, June Riley Gurley. He is also survived by his previously named 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, soon to be born great, great grandchild; his sisters, Judy Riley Urban (Pete), Pam Riley Mosher, his brother Tim Riley.