Obituary
John “David” Riley, age 80, resided at Bethany Homes in Fargo, North Dakota, where he passed away in the early morning of Wednesday, February 26, 2014. Although his family is present to honor his memory, he died in peace with his Lord as his much-loved companion.
David was born on May 24, 1933 in Oakdale, Kentucky, the son of Reverend John M. Riley and Edna L. Riley. As they were missionaries, David’s childhood years were spent in South Africa where he was home-taught early on and later studied at a government boarding school. He sailed to the United States in 1952 to attend Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois. He soon met, pursued, and married his wife, Annie L. Robinson. They were married 57 years until her death on June 28, 2011. Upon his graduation, David and Annie began their own journey as lifetime missionaries. They and their new baby travelled to Belgium to learn French for their tenure in Burundi, Africa, under the Evangelical Yearly Meeting of Friends. David earned his Electronics Technician qualifications in the interim, allowing him to enhance his career in radio technology. So began his life in Christian radio. Including two furlough years, they spent sixteen years in Burundi where they witnessed the horrific trauma within tribal genocide. David was instrumental in smuggling several people out of the country, despite threats of deportation. Leaving their term early, they gathered their four children and flew to the United States to heal. They spent the subsequent years in Haviland, Kansas, until their children completed high school. While there, David worked for the Haviland Telephone Company and Cross Manufacturing. Responding to God’s call for further missionary service, David and Annie left Kansas to work for Radio Lumiere in La Jeune, Haiti, under the World Gospel Mission. There too, they were inflicted with the effects of the despotic regime of Jean-Claude Duvalier. Again, they left that mission field and began work on the Tex-Mex border in McAllen, Texas for Radio HCJB World Radio. They were there until their retirement in 1997 where they were blessed to have spent many years at the Bradenton Missionary Village in Bradenton, Florida. Most of that time involved David taking on the role of the sole caregiver for Annie’s long-term effects of a catastrophic vehicle accident. Upon her death, David moved to North Dakota in September, 2011 to be near his daughter, Judy.
David was a certified genius, an inventor, a tinker, and a wordsmith. He learned twelve languages, often speaking them in his sleep. His impact upon the world was phenomenal, although few will ever know just how much their lives became better because of his scientific contributions, spiritual impact, and investment in people.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15
John David Riley is survived by his children:
Judyth Grover of Harwood, ND---her husband, Jeff, and their children: Joshua Grover, (his wife, Kristine, and children: McKennon, Keaton, and Emmersyn); JoRelle Grover; and Jadon Grover---
Teresa Buckingham of Dayton, OH---her husband, Greg, and their children: John Buckingham, (his wife, Rachel, and child: Eva); Tiffany Cook, (her husband, Dustin, and child: Rylan); Cassandra Buckingham; Timothy Buckingham; Matthew Buckingham; Luke Buckingham; Molly Buckingham; and Daniel Buckingham---
Susan Riley of Belton, TX---her children: Cameron Youmans; Lynea Youmans; and Annie Youmans---
Eric Riley of Belton, TX.
He is also survived by his siblings: Thomas (Faye) Riley of Hermitage, TN; Paul (Martha) Riley of Riverside, CA, and their daughters and grandchildren; Lois (Duane) Norden, and their children and grandchildren. David survived his parents’ deaths, the death of a nephew (John Riley), the death of a granddaughter (Katey Buckingham), and the death of his dear wife, Annie.