- Date Of Birth: August 24, 1946
- Date Of Death: April 15, 2020
- State: Idaho
Patrick James Riley (Pat) passed away on April 15th, 2020 following complications from a surgery. Pat left us to join his beloved wife Laura, who passed away in June, 2019.
Pat was born August 24th, 1946 in Gooding, Idaho to Venna and Ralph Riley Jr. of Richfield, Idaho. He was raised in Richfield, Idaho where he lived most of his life. He graduated from Richfield High School in 1966 and attended Idaho State University as an engineering and drafting and design student.
Pat married Patricia Mary Jacobson in 1968 and they later divorced. They were the parents of Mary-Shannon Riley. In addition to his studies and his family life, Pat worked full-time as a night watchman at S&A Fabrication in Pocatello, where he was later hired as a Draftsman. Pat enjoyed the focus and precision required by that work, qualities he would later carry with him as he formed his own drafting and construction business with his son Shean Riley.
In 1970 Pat returned to Richfield to work on the Riley family ranch, and later took up farming his own land. He married Laura Rae Anderson in 1971 and they were the parents of Casey, Gabriel and Shean Riley. In addition to farming, Pat worked for a time for the American Breeders Association, a job that took him around the country and to Europe, in addition to supporting ranchers close to home. He worked for Mountain State Construction and with his Sluder cousins, before starting his own business around 1995. During this time he built many homes and buildings throughout the Magic Valley. He was well known for his beautiful cabinetry work which is the centerpiece of his own home in Richfield, where he lived with his wife and son Shean for the last 20+ years of his life. He served many years as Building Inspector for the cities of Belview, Fairfield and Richfield.
Patrick loved the Idaho landscape. He was happiest exploring the desert, and knew where to find the most interesting caves and rock formations. His siblings and cousins have fond memories of Pat’s pranks. He never minded his younger siblings tagging along with him and they enjoyed many adventures aboard makeshift rafts on the farm pond, or water skiing behind a pick-up truck on the canals. Pat was a cheerful morning person, saying that the best things happened before the rest of the world was awake.
Pat was an excellent cook and gardener and enjoyed growing and canning his own food. Many kitchen projects were orchestrated by he and Laura over the years. He was an avid gun collector and fisherman and formed many memories with his kids and grandkids fishing and hunting critters in the desert. He was always helping out with projects, and loved to show others how to do things and was (usually) patient and encouraging.
In the final years of his life, Pat continued to work for the City of Richfield as Inspector and Planning and Zoning Administrator.
Patrick was a devoted family man who always let us know we were loved. He had a deep intelligence and humor that he carried with simple, down-to-earth grace. We are grateful for the time we had with him and the memories he left us.
He leaves behind four children, Mary-Shannon Riley (Jonathan Edwards), Casey Riley (Tami), Gabriel Riley and Shean Riley; four grandchildren, Kelsi Jo Heath (Griffin), Brett Riley, Jade Riley, Chase Riley and Caleb Edwards; two great grand-children, Vynn and Enzo Heath; four siblings, Linda Jaynes (Charlie), Kathleen Loynd (Gail), Rod Riley (Kate), and Joanne Duffin (Stanley); sister and brother-in law Rex Anderson and Yvonne Gage; his beloved parents Venna and Ralph Riley Jr.; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, extended family and friends whose lives he touched and who will miss him deeply.
