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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Raymond Elvin
Riley, Jr.
November 29, 1942 – October 15, 2018
Obituary
Raymond E. Riley was born to Alvina and Raymond Riley, Sr. on a farm near Baltic, SD on November 29, 1942. He grew up and attended school in Dell Rapids, SD, graduating in 1961. He followed his older brothers, continuing the Riley legacy of skilled athletes at Dell Rapids High School, playing football and basketball. He attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS for one year on a football scholarship. He returned to his home state of South Dakota and was offered an athletic scholarship at General Beadle State College, now known as Dakota State University. While at General Beadle State College, Ray played varsity football and basketball, where he was named Senior Athlete of the Year. Ray graduated from General Beadle State in 1966. In 2002, he was inducted into the Dakota State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ray and Ruth Alink were married on September 27, 1964 at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church, Valley Springs, SD. Their love story began on Ruth's uncle's farm, where Ray started working when he was 12 years old. Ray & Ruth were blessed with three children, Kimberly, Michelle and Ryan.
Ray began his teaching career in Estelline, SD in 1967. Ray and Ruth then moved to Tyler, MN where he accepted a teaching and coaching position with the Tyler Public School system. Ray taught High School History and Social Studies. He also coached football, basketball and track. During his career, Ray was head varsity football coach for many years before switching to head basketball coach at THS/RTHS/RTRHS. Ray was a well known and respected coach in Minnesota. He led his basketball teams to 7 straight District titles and 3 consecutive Minnesota State Boys Basketball tournaments. One of Ray's greatest coaching joys was being able to coach his son, Ryan. Ray retired from teaching in 1998, but continued coaching basketball until 2000. Ray also worked for Farmer's Mutual Hail Insurance during the summer months as a Crop Adjuster. Ray was an active member of First English Lutheran Church, Tyler, MN where he served as church council president. He was also a member of the Tyler, MN Lions Club, the Minnesota Coaches Association and the King's Ridge Golf Association, where he served as the association President.
In 2002, Ray and Ruth moved to Clermont, FL where he could enjoy playing golf 12 months of the year. In addition to Ray's love of the game of golf, he also became an avid Florida Gators fan!
Ray was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in November 2008. Being a person that doesn't believe in giving up, he defied the usual life expectancy of this disease. After a nearly 10 year battle, on October 15, 2018. Ray passed away with his loving wife of 54 years, Ruth, by his side.
Ray is lovingly remembered and missed by his wife, Ruth, his children, Kimberly Riley-Adams (Colin), Marshalltown, IA; Michelle Pederson (Rahn), Sioux Falls, SD and Ryan Riley (Robin), Northfield, MN. 7 grandchildren, Jessica, KC, Troy, Chelsea, Abby, Brecken and Bridger. 7 Great-Grandchildren, Skyler, Keegan, Kaelynn, Liam, Jameson, Odin and Frey. 3 brothers, Thomas, W. Des Moines, IA, Jim, Chatfield, MN and Ken, Clermont, FL and 1 sister, Vivian, Olympia, WA. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Robert, Alan and Bill, and one sister, Elaine.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, FL 32778-9648 (
www.donate.cshopice.org
) or The Cancer Research Institute (
www.cancerresearch.org
) Blessed be his memory.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raymond Elvin Riley, Jr., please visit our flower store.
Services
Celebration of Life Memorial Service
October
19
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Starts at 11:00 am
Raymond Elvin Riley, Jr.'s Guestbook
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