CPO James John “Jim” Riley, U.S. Navy, (Ret.), age 88, of Abingdon, Va., passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at his home with his loving wife and caretaker by his side. He was born January 23, 1931, to the late Albert Joseph Riley and Teresa Florence McCarthy Riley. Jim retired from the United States Navy having served in Vietnam and Korea. He was a member of Green Spring Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon. Jim was a Past Grand Master of the McCabe Lodge No. 56, I.O.O.F. and was a member of the Parke P. Deans Rebekah Lodge No. 68. He was a member of the Wolf Hills Friendship Café at the Community Center in Abingdon and volunteered at Faith in Action.
In addition to his parents, Jim was also preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Kinnlaw Riley; three brothers, William, Fred, and Robert Riley; and sister, Florence Krempin.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Jewel Bowman Riley; three sisters, Teresa McNamarra of Pawleys Island, S.C., Patricia DeBlassi of N.J., and Margaret Riley of Union, N.J.; special sister-in-law, Mary Riley; niece, Christina; nephew, Joe; two great nieces, Marisa and Delaney; several additional nieces and nephews; and his two fur babies, Shelly and Pixie.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Pastor Todd Crusenberry officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy. Honorary pallbearers will be Preston Brown, Bucky Buchanan, John Clark, Tom Deaton, James Gentry, Rick Hall, Jasper Reynolds, Dr. Emory Robinette, the men of Bethel Presbyterian Church, and members of the McCabe Lodge No. 56, I.O.O.F. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association, 3140 Chaparral Dr., Building C, Suite 106, Roanoke, VA 24018, the Washington County Animal Shelter, 27252 Porter Ln., Abingdon, VA 24211, Green Spring Presbyterian Church, 22007 Green Springs Church Rd., Abingdon, VA 24211, or the Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 27495 Osceola Rd., Abingdon, VA 24211, c/o D.L. Stout.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Home Nursing of Southwest Virginia, the third-floor staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital, and Ballad Hospice.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting
www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of CPO James John “Jim” Riley, U.S. Navy, (Ret.) is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).