Kenneth Raymond Riley

Kenneth Raymond Riley, age 87, of Grants Pass, Oregon died Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at his home.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2013 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors with Dennis Webber and Ronald Marsh, pastors, officiating. A reception will follow at Parkway Christian Center. Private interment at Eagle Point National Cemetery with Rev. Paul Riley of Palmer, Alaska, officiating, will occur at a later date.

Remembrances may be made to a church or charity of your choice.

The eldest of 6 children, Kenneth was born April 10, 1926 in Dallas, Texas to Claude & Fay (Franklin) Riley. He grew up and attended schools in Grapevine, Texas. In August 1944, at age 18, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in the 2nd armored division as a tank commander in the European Theater during World War II. After his honorable discharge as a Tech Sergeant in 1946 he moved to Alaska where he began working for the Alaska Railroad. On August 19, 1950 he married Ida Beth Hopkins in Anchorage, Alaska. In 1951 Kenneth took a break from the railroad and attended Bethany Bible College in Santa Cruz, CA through 1953. On his return to Alaska he continued his career with the Alaska Railroad until 1978 when he retired as a heavy equipment foreman. In 2001 he moved from Alaska to Grants Pass to enjoy its mild climate. He loved his daily walks around the neighborhood. He received many compliments from family, friends and neighbors about the quality of the park-like setting of his property that he had developed over the years he lived in Grants Pass.

Kenneth was a charter member of First Assembly of God in Anchorage, Alaska where he was an elder for more than 32 years. While living in the Matanuska Valley in Palmer, Alaska he was also a member of the Wasilla Assembly of God for 10 years. After moving to Grants Pass, he was a member of Parkway Christian Center.

Kenneth was a man of faith committed to God, his family, his church and his country. He was a gracious host that enjoyed entertaining family and friends. These frequent gatherings were large and included siblings and especially his children and grandchildren as well as his many friends. There was always room for one more at the table.

He was also a member of the Anchorage Igloo of the Fraternal Order of the Pioneers of Alaska. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, gold panning and traveling throughout Alaska and the Lower-48 states. Also, he spent several weeks of many winters in Hawaii.

In addition to his wife, Ida Beth Riley of Grants Pass, Oregon; he is survived by a daughter, Joy (and Jim) Murray of Grants Pass, Oregon; a son, Gary (and Janice Huling) Riley of Big Lake, Alaska; three sisters, Betty (and Don) Wilson of Round Rock, Texas, Gail Chestnut of Magalia, California and Mary Ann (and Larry) Notton of Sunnyvale, California; a brother, Paul (and Helen Havemeister) Riley of Palmer, Alaska and Dale Riley (Wife of his brother Jerry, deceased) of Anchorage, Alaska; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.