Obituary for Marion Francis Riley
M. Francis Riley, resident of Duke, Oklahoma passed away on June 22, 2022, at the Comanche County Memorial Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma. Francis was 94 years old at the time of his death.
Francis was born on May 3, 1928, in Altus, Oklahoma to his parents, John Terrell Riley Sr. and Florence Ellen Riley (Thompson). He was the second youngest of six sons born to the Rileys. in 1946, Francis graduated from Ozark High School which was located 3 miles east of Altus. He joined the United States Army and was stationed in Japan for two years, He also served in the Korean War. After his military career came to an end, Francis returned to southwest Oklahoma and remained there for the rest of his life.
Francis was a kind and honest man who believed in the value of hard work. He farmed and ranched and had great respect for nature. Francis was also an extremely social person. Every morning he would drive to Mangum to have breakfast and coffee with his coffee crew at Hamburger Inn, after it closed he moved to Friendship Inn in Altus. Francis had a unique ability to make lasting friendships over a single cup of coffee.
Farming and ranching was his life. He lived and breathed the farm, he was always thinking, inventing, and educating himself on agriculture. Francis owned and operated a wheat harvesting crew that cut wheat from Duke all the way to Wyoming. He retired from farming in 2020 after 74 years of farming. He was always willing to share his knowledge for a cup of coffee and a good conversation.
Francis was a member of the Gould, Gibson, Hollis, and Altus Masonic Lodges and was a master mason for seventy - one years. He had a deep love of Jesus Christ and was saved by Christian
When he could get time away from the farm, Francis indulged in his passion for cars. He owned a 1928 Model A Ford, which was his pride and joy! He participated in every car show and usually won.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Terrell Riley, Sr., Florence Ellen (Thompson) Riley; five brothers, Floyd Riley, Wilson Riley, Terrell Riley, Jr., Jerry Riley, G.W. "Dub" Riley, cousins, Norris and Alta Thompson.
Left to honor his beloved memory are his cousin, Judy (Thompson) Redelsperger & her son, Chad Carter & wife, Holly, and their children, Raegan & Carson: Judy's other son, Michael Perry, and his children: Zoe, Elise, & Madison Perry, and grandson, Grayson; Francis' nephews and nieces: Mardee Wade, Don Riley, Joe Riley, Carolyn Riley, Richard Riley, Rickey Riley, Terry Riley, Vickey White, and Cindy Bartow, as well as other relatives, friends, and masonic family.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2022, at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 26, 2022, at Russell Baptist Church, Russell, Oklahoma, interment will follow at Russell Cemetery.
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Francis was born on May 3, 1928, in Altus, Oklahoma to his parents, John Terrell Riley Sr. and Florence Ellen Riley (Thompson). He was the second youngest of six sons born to the Rileys. in 1946, Francis graduated from Ozark High School which was located 3 miles east of Altus. He joined the United States Army and was stationed in Japan for two years, He also served in the Korean War. After his military career came to an end, Francis returned to southwest Oklahoma and remained there for the rest of his life.
Francis was a kind and honest man who believed in the value of hard work. He farmed and ranched and had great respect for nature. Francis was also an extremely social person. Every morning he would drive to Mangum to have breakfast and coffee with his coffee crew at Hamburger Inn, after it closed he moved to Friendship Inn in Altus. Francis had a unique ability to make lasting friendships over a single cup of coffee.
Farming and ranching was his life. He lived and breathed the farm, he was always thinking, inventing, and educating himself on agriculture. Francis owned and operated a wheat harvesting crew that cut wheat from Duke all the way to Wyoming. He retired from farming in 2020 after 74 years of farming. He was always willing to share his knowledge for a cup of coffee and a good conversation.
Francis was a member of the Gould, Gibson, Hollis, and Altus Masonic Lodges and was a master mason for seventy - one years. He had a deep love of Jesus Christ and was saved by Christian
When he could get time away from the farm, Francis indulged in his passion for cars. He owned a 1928 Model A Ford, which was his pride and joy! He participated in every car show and usually won.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Terrell Riley, Sr., Florence Ellen (Thompson) Riley; five brothers, Floyd Riley, Wilson Riley, Terrell Riley, Jr., Jerry Riley, G.W. "Dub" Riley, cousins, Norris and Alta Thompson.
Left to honor his beloved memory are his cousin, Judy (Thompson) Redelsperger & her son, Chad Carter & wife, Holly, and their children, Raegan & Carson: Judy's other son, Michael Perry, and his children: Zoe, Elise, & Madison Perry, and grandson, Grayson; Francis' nephews and nieces: Mardee Wade, Don Riley, Joe Riley, Carolyn Riley, Richard Riley, Rickey Riley, Terry Riley, Vickey White, and Cindy Bartow, as well as other relatives, friends, and masonic family.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2022, at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 26, 2022, at Russell Baptist Church, Russell, Oklahoma, interment will follow at Russell Cemetery.
To send flowers in memory of Marion Francis Riley, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
26
Jun
4:00 PM
- 6:00 PM
Lowell Tims Funeral Home & Crematory
1100 E Tamarack Rd
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Monday
27
Jun
2:00 PM
Russell Baptist Church
13055 N. County Road 1850
Russell , OK 73554
Cemetery Details
Location
Russell Cemetery
Russell, OK
Russell, OK 73554
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