James Matt Riley

James Matthew (Jim) Riley, age 88, passed away after a valiant fight with heart disease, in Salt Lake City on November 15, 2014.  Jim was born in Dolan Hospital in Worthington, Minnesota on May 25, 1926  to Frank and Florence Delaney Riley.  From birth, he was a full partner in the family farm, which his grandfather had homesteaded in 1872.  Jim experienced his first hardship in the great depression and learned lessons he would never forget.  

He met Ruth Jane McConnell, his first and only love, at a country dance.  They were married on January 29, 1949 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster, Minnesota.  They lived in Minneapolis where Jim completed his education at the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in Chemical Engineering. Jim's career took him to North Dakota and Rapid City, South Dakota, before settling in Salt Lake City. 

He learned to ski at age 40 and never missed a ski season for the rest of his life. One of his greatest accomplishments was to become a member of the Wild Old Bunch, for which he received a free season pass to Alta Resort at the age of 80.  

He worked for 25 years with the Bureau of Mines, working on research and mining projects throughout the country. He authored several patents in those years.  At age 57 he reinvented himself as a gentleman farmer and cattleman.  For 32 years he drove solo to the midwest, twice a year, for planting and harvest.  He was a tough but fair negotiator and built a farming operation, which earned him the respect of local farmers.  His frugality was legendary. 

He was a father to seven daughters, a role which he embraced in teaching them lessons of hard work and self-sufficiency.  Although not fond of outward displays of affection, he always loved and supported his family, in his own practical way. He was a man of few words, but those words were often hilarious.  He never thought of himself as old, and took care of his farming business until his last days. 

The family would like to thank Brian Whisenant MD and Joanne Nam NP, who helped him fight for life until his last days.  Special thanks to Dr. Robert Payne for forty years of loving care.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; two brothers Thomas and Phillip Riley; and son-in-law Leo Embry.   He is survived by his daughters Catherine (Bob) Lambert, Mary Ellen, Jane (Hugh) Brown, Joan, Rita Embry, Sara (Paul) Colosimo and Trudi (Jim) Frenchik; sister Sally Fairchild Nordstrom of Milford, Iowa. He was a grandfather to 16 grandchildren, Rob (Carina), Patrick (Hillary), Shawn (Sarah), Jeff, Ben (Lucy), Monica, Brian, Eric, Melissa, Anna, Ryan, Lucy, Sam, Riley, Alex and Matthew.  He was also blessed with 5 great-grandchildren Madeline, Jack, Easton, Meredith and Michael. He was close to many nieces and nephews in the midwest.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, November 20th at 11:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 East Spring Lane. A rosary service will be held Wednesday, November 19th at 7:00 PM at St. Vincent de Paul, where friends may call from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Committal to follow mass at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Avenue and T Street.  

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Vincent’s School.