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Category: Obituaries Obituaries
Published: 13 June 2018 13 June 2018

don riley rsDonald Patrick Riley, a resident of Vanadium, passed away at his home, Saturday, June 9, 2018. Donald was born in Joliet, Illinois to Donald Lee and Patricia Riley. He was married to Jackie Cuellar in 1994 and was married for 24 years.

Donald graduated from Cobre High School and went on to get his Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Western New Mexico University. He loved working with troubled kids and loved being able to help out people in need. Upon graduation from Western, him and Jackie decided to move closer to his dad in Carlsbad, CA. He had the opportunity to work for a 24-hour facility for abused kids, where he was loved by all that met him and he was able to help many kids.

They decided to move back to NM and start their own family. Shortly after, their first child, Brianna Brandie was born. This had an immense impact on Donald as she became the center of their attention. Their second born came 2 years later, Codey Jaxon. This made their family complete.

Anyone who knew Donald, knew how important his family was. He and Codey could be seen together everywhere. He finally had that son he could take hunting, fishing, and off-roading, but most importantly take to the gym, which was his passion. He won several Powerlifting Championships which he was happy to brag about. He loved taking his family out hunting and off-roading. He was always looking forward to every hunt to take Brianna and Codey out. This gave him a chance to be outdoors, where he loved being.

Donald was also very proud about his ability to operate any big machinery. He was employed at Freeport McMoran where he took pride in his work as a heavy equipment operator, able to operate Caterpillar machinery and be known for his great ability to use that machinery as if it was a toy car.

Donald was also a proud member of the Santa Rita Volunteer Fire Department for over 12 years and currently was 1st Lieutenant. He was always eager to show any new members the ropes and the other members would kid with him because of his incredible strength. He had a deep and profound impact on everyone there. He was always the life of the party and would make sure to keep everyone laughing with his endless jokes. You could hear him laughing a mile away and knew it was him. His absence has been felt since the first minute and has left a permanent void in the lives of all who knew and loved him.

Donald was loved by all who knew him. He was an incredible father, husband, son, uncle and brother. He was a positive influence in the life of countless others. He is survived by his wife, Jackie, his daughter, Brianna, and his son Codey, his mother, Patricia Hamm Riley of Colorado Springs, CO, his father, Donald Lee Riley, his sister, Dawn Shannon, nephews Didier Shannon and Juan Cuellar. Mother-in-law, Ida Cuellar, Brother-in-law, Johnny Cuellar (Angela), Nieces, Brittany (Joshua) Turrieta (who was often mistaken for their own daughter when they first got married), Tiffany, Courtney and Whitney all of Vanadium. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, a special cousin, Brent McPherson of Colorado Springs, CO, which he considered like a brother.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Della and Orville Hamm and his paternal grandparents, Wade and Lois Riley, father-in-law, Juan Cuellar, uncle, Larry Riley.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at one o'clock in the afternoon at Baca's Funeral Chapels in Silver City.