Riley Ray ReQua

Riley Ray ReQua, 99 years old, passed away on July 20, 2026 at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He was born along with his older twin brother, John Jay ReQua, in Kansas City, Kansas on September 2, 1926 to Harry C. and Gladys (MacGregor) ReQua.

Upon the death of their mother at the age of nine, the twins were raised by their aunt and uncle, Riley and Alice MacGregor, along with their children: Comora MacGregor Nash, Riley William MacGregor, and Nancy MacGregor Greenwood, in Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

Riley joined the United States Navy at 17 and proudly served aboard the USS LST 49 in the Pacific. After the war, he graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1943. Riley married Jeannine Webb and they had three children who survive him: Bill, Cheryl and Maggie.

Riley farmed, worked at Boeing and Cessna, Shaw Oil, and Andale Co-Op and owned two full-service gas stations. He enjoyed sponsoring youth activities for Rainbow Girls and coached Little League baseball teams. He was active and served in leadership roles as a Third Degree Mason, Order of Eastern Star, Shriners, and as Rainbow Dad. He held memberships in the First Methodist Churches in Valley Center, Kansas and then Medicine Lodge, Kansas, as well as the VFW.

He was known for his enthusiastic support of athletics (especially basketball) at Valley Center High School and Southwestern College, Winfield. As a great-grandfather, he was often seen at basketball, softball, and volleyball games, wrestling matches, and 4-H livestock shows with pigs being his favorite show animal.

He lived in Kansas, Florida, Georgia, and enjoyed 30 years with the Sprecher family in Maryland. He traveled by motorhome to all 50 states and Canada and Mexico with his beloved Virginia. Motorhome rallies and LST reunions were a highlight of his later years as he reconnected with shipmates and their families at annual reunions.

People were an integral part of Riley’s life – and as his twin brother, John, once said to him, “You have never met a stranger.” Riley valued the gift of friendship from people all over the country – from board games in RV parks, the mountains, beaches or plains to a simple meal in a restaurant, it was almost a given that someone would strike up a conversation with him. On his 95th birthday, he received 135 cards!

His great love and joy were his family and he was a treasure to them. His twin brother, best friend, and anchor, John, was with him for 91.5 years. His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews kept him active until the end of his life.

He moved into his “bachelor pad” at the age of 94 and the first thing he did was hang photos of family members on every wall in every room. He loved being surrounded by the memories of his people and was emphatic about being independent which he maintained until his death.

Survivors are his children: Riley William “Bill” (Toni) ReQua, Cheryl ReQua O’Connor, Margaret (Zach) ReQua Smith; his grandchildren: Patrick (Melissa) O’Connor, Devon O’Connor, Riley Nathaniel “Nathan” (Stephanie) ReQua, Alison (Randy) Williamson, Garett Smith, Andrew Smith; his great-grandchildren: Sydney (Nick) Martin, Destiny (Thomas Pankratz) ReQua, Riley Wyatt ReQua, Grace Timmons, Lillie Timmons, Gabe Williamson, Gavin Williamson, Riley O’Connor, Caitlin O’Connor; great-great-granddaughter Ainsley; his nieces: Kathy (Frank) Brazle, Jessie (Jim) Bradley, and Renee (Scott) Smith.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at Hillside Funeral Home West, 2929 West 13th Street North, Wichita, KS 67203. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM at First Methodist Church, 108 East Second Street, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104; followed by interment in Highland Cemetery, 803 North Iliff, Medicine Lodge, KS.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Methodist Church, 108 East Second Street, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104, or to the charity of your choice.