Charles 'Chuck' William Riley, 84

On Oct. 12, 2024, Charles William Riley left this Earth peacefully at the age of 84 with family and friends by his side. Charles “Chuck” is survived by his sister, Suzi, and husband Bruce; daughter Julie Leonard and husband Jason; his son, Patrick Riley, and wife Traci; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Chuck is preceded in death by his wife, Jere; daughter Kelly Ann; his mother and father, Oberlin and Floyd Riley; his brother, Ron Riley; and his sister, Nina.

Born in Hamburg, Ark., July 14, 1940, little did the world know that one of the most amazing and wonderful human beings had just entered the world. Charles, as his mother always called him, went to school in Arkansas before the family moved to Lake Tahoe, Calif. Charles played football in high school and married his high school sweetheart, Jere, in Las Vegas at the Little White Chapel. After being married, Chuck and Jere began a lifelong love affair of each other, traveling and adventuring, going wherever the military sent them. Not many people can say they have climbed Mt. Fuji with their parents, or seen the Redwood Forest, or the Grand Canyon and every national monument across this great land that Chuck served as a military man. Not many people can say they have been to or lived in almost every state, Japan and Hawaii, but that is the life Chuck Riley gave to his family.  

Chuck was a true American hero and U.S. Navy sailor to the core. Spending his entire naval career as a proud submariner, he retired from the U.S. Navy as a commissioned commander May 1, 1984. After Chuck retired, mom and dad continued their adventures taking on llamas, raising them at their home in Coeur d'Alene. After many years of traveling to llama shows, Jere and Chuck decided to begin spending their winters traveling and took to the road, going to Arizona, Utah and other places they could travel in their mobile home but always came home for the summer in Coeur d'Alene to spend with their friends and family. 

Chuck made so many friends over his years on this Earth and will be missed greatly. One thing that Chuck did before passing away was hosting his own celebration of life at the Coeur d'Alene Elks club. In honor of Chuck, the family is planning a gathering of all family and friends in the spring, where everyone can gather together and celebrate the life and legacy of this amazing man. Rest easy pop, we got it from here.

Please visit Chuck’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/PZqlC1wOp0SM6RGzTLfvIVcXds?domain=yatesfuneralhomes.com.