Thomas Riley

Thomas Arnold Riley, 92, of North Little Rock passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2013. He was born to the late William Moore and Dessie Modella Phillips Riley in Mansfield, Arkansas on September 13, 1921. He graduated with a degree in Journalism from Southern Methodist University. He worked for the Arkansas Gazette and was publisher of the North Little Rock Times where he retired. He served as an Officer in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a member of Lakewood United Methodist Church and a member of the Bob Millett Sunday School Class. He was past president and member of the Arkansas Press Association and Arkansas Foundation. He has served on the boards of The North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, North Little Rock Electric Commission, and the North Little Rock Lion's Club where he was past president, the local Red Cross and the Quapaw Boy's Scout Council. He was a member of the American International Charolais Association and submitted the winning design for their headquarters sign and logo in a national contest, where he won a full-French Charolais Heifer. He was member of the Arkansas Charolais Association and president of Lakewood Property Owners. He also volunteered for Brother Paul's Friendly Chapel.
Thomas was passionate about his vegetable garden on his farm in Antioch Arkansas and his choral singing with The Joyful Noise. Another one of his favorite hobbies was beekeeping. He played basketball at Connors State College in Oklahoma and OU in Norman, Oklahoma, 1943-1944.
He is survived by his son, Roger K. Riley, of Little Rock; daughter, Joanna M. Riley, of Little Rock; sister, Mildred Brown, of Longview, Texas; sister-in-law, Mary Riley of Topeka, Kansas, nieces and nephews, Joyce Gassen, Michael Riley, Mark Riley, Anita Franks all of Topeka, Kansas; Karen Weaver of Knoxville,Tennessee; Linda Ann and Bob Holliday of Longview,Texas and a host of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Moery Riley; brothers, John D. Riley and William Riley; and his sisters, Euretta (Rita) Hames and Laura Ann Black Stough.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday at North Little Rock Funeral Home. The family will greet friends from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m., Monday followed by funeral services at 10:00 a.m., at Lakewood United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Carlisle Cemetery.
Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .