Obituary of James Riley

James Hunter Riley was born December 2, 1928 in Marble City, OK to Willis Hunter and Mary Hettie (Johnson) Riley and passed from this life March 31, 2014 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 85. Jim graduated from Pryor High School at the age of 16, and then obtained his B.S. degree from Northeastern State University, where he was a member of Phi Sigma fraternity. He then entered the U.S. Army in October of 1950 and served in Germany during the Korean War. He was given the Army Occupation Medal, and was honorably discharged in January 1952. He then obtained his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Alabama. He wanted to be prepared for his Master's classes, and didn't want to fail, so he memorized ALL of his textbooks prior to beginning his studies. He returned to Oklahoma to be near his parents, rather than continue with his doctorate degree, much to the university's disappointment. Jim worked for Cities Service Company from 1954 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where he met and married Carolyn Sigler, then moved to Tulsa, and ended his oil and gas career with Occidental Petroleum in 1983. He then became the Dean of Business for Oklahoma Junior College, and then taught marketing for Oklahoma State University, Langston University, Northeastern State University and Oral Roberts University. He finally retired from teaching in 2009. Despite all the local colleges and universities Jim attended or taught, his real college passion was The University of Oklahoma Sooners. On his birthday in 2003, after touring the O.U. Library where he had donated his son's extensive collection of Oklahoma author and playwright Lynn Riggs works, and other Oklahoma theater manuscripts, Jim insisted on driving his friends "by the Sooner-Hall-of-Worship." The gates to the stadium were locked, but upon closer inspection, one gate was open. He then got to march down the "Hallowed Ramp" where all Sooner players run into the stadium. But a bigger surprise was awaiting him when both Stoop brothers came walking up to him as he was admiring the field. He got to shake hands with them. He told Bob Stoops, "I've been a Sooner fan for fifty years!" Never was there a more devoted fan, whose blood ran crimson and cream. Jim never met a stranger, and probably could tell them their own history of where their family originated, and to whom they were related. Jim's other passion was genealogy. He travelled throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states searching county court houses, deeds, cemeteries, and marriage and death records. Jim even went to North Carolina to search the ship manifests. He was no stranger to most all Indian enrollment records. He was an Oklahoma historian and story teller. Jim never forgot a name, once he met you. He loved Oklahoma and was an American Patriot without measure. He loved his niece Michelle Moore and her husband Larry, and their children and grand child. And kept up with his nephew Mike Riley and his family in Colorado. James was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 40 years, Carolyn (Sigler) Riley; his son, Robb Riley; his daughter Beth Riley, and his brother Gene L. Riley. He is survived by his niece and her husband, Michelle & Larry Moore, nephew Mike Riley and his wife, Lisa and numerous friends. James will lie in state Thursday from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and his funeral will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, both at the Ninde Brookside funeral home. Graveside committal with military honors following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Ninde Brookside Chapel ninde.com 918-742-5556