Donald W Riley

Donald William Riley, 87, of Hugo passed away April 25, 2019 at Lincoln Community Care Center.

Don, the second of six children, was born February 10, 1932 in Gove County, Kansas to parents Omer Riley and Edrie (Summers) (Riley) Oster. He spent his formative years in Hugo and attended school through the 8th grade. He joined the Army in 1949 and served in Japan and Korea. He was discharged in 1952, and on May 15, 1953 he was united in marriage with Joyce Elaine Dutro. To this union were born four children: David, Charles, Linda and Ronald.

Don worked for the Union Pacific railroad for many years, living in the Pacific Northwest for a time before returning to Eastern Colorado. Upon his return he took over the Hugo Trading Post from his grandmother, Laura Schack, and while Joyce ran the store he worked various construction jobs before joining the local natural gas company as a serviceman, where he worked until retirement. He also helped his extended family with wheat harvest and ran cattle on his ranch.

In his free time, Don devoted himself to working on his large garden, going hunting and fishing, attending local auctions, and gambling. Don also loved acquiring “toys,” going so far as to build a garage he called “the Toy Box” across from his house. He spent a lot of his time building things in his woodshop and workshop, and was adept at many different trades. He was a lifelong member of the VFW, Joe Will Post 6612 and of the Methodist church.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Omer Riley and Edrie Oster, his stepfather William Oster, and three siblings: Patricia White, James Riley and Maxine Zollinger. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Riley; son David Riley of Hugo, CO; son Charles (Rebecca) Riley of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Linda Blevins of Hugo, CO; son Ronald (Carla) of Canon City, CO; grandchildren Lani Blevins of Hugo, CO, Benjamin Blevins (Tara) of Dundee, MI, Brandon Riley (Sheena) of Pueblo West, CO, Jessica Riley of Fountain, CO, Christopher Riley of Clinton, MO, Robert Riley of Phoenix, AZ and John Riley of Phoenix, AZ, as well as five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Elizabeth Jane Hoyt and Virginia Chaffin, both of Hugo, CO, as well as numerous other relatives.

Burial will be held graveside at Evergreen Cemetery in Hugo. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the VFW, Joe Will Post 6612.