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O.N. Riley, "Owen Norman Riley" a lifelong member of the Olney community, passed away on August 2, 2024. He was born March 23, 1935, at Clarita Oklahoma, the first and only son of Ernest and Arline Riley. He attended Olney Public School where he graduated as Valedictorian in 1952.
It was while attending Olney High School that O.N. met his future wife, Betty Lou Miller. The two attended East Central University together and graduated three years later in 1955. After graduation, O.N. and Betty married on December 17, 1955. They celebrated 67 years together before Betty preceded him in death last year on August 3rd.
O.N. completed his education with a Master's degree in Education from Oklahoma State University. He and Betty began their teaching career at Burbank, Oklahoma from 1955 to 1961, and made friends there that lasted a lifetime. Both of their children, Mike and Lisa, were born during that time. In 1961, they moved back to Olney where O.N. accepted a position as High school and Elementary Principal. In 1967 he began serving as Olney Schools' Superintendent. In 1969, O.N. accepted a position as the Elementary Principal of Coalgate's Emerson Elementary school, a position he held until his retirement.
Besides education and the students, he loved, O.N.'s passion was the ranch he and Betty spent 63 years building and expanding. A true believer in the excellence of the Angus breed, he received many awards and accolades for the registered Angus cows and bulls that were his pride and joy. After his retirement from education, he devoted his life to his family, his friends and his ranch. His children agree that he could outwork either of them well into his eighties.
SURVIVED BY Son: Michael Riley Daughter: Lisa Riley Childress Grandchildren: Serena Childress, Alice Riley, Betsy Riley and Carly Riley Sister: June Scott Special Friends: Margaret Nelson, Judy Wilson, Kay Jackson, Naudrea Edwards Twyla Collins, Donna James, Brenda Hickman, Debbie Taylor Bessie and Harriett (Burbank friends), Sally Riley and Mary James Along with numerous nieces, nephews and many dearly loved friends PRECEDED IN DEATH BY Parents: Earnest and Arlene (Savage) Riley *************************************************************************************************************DATE OF SERVICES: 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 PLACE OF SERVICES: Brown's Funeral Chapel, Coalgate, Oklahoma OFFICIATING: Pastor David Unsell ASSISTING: Duane Riley INTERMENT: Moore Cemetery CASKETBEARERS: Randy Nelson, David Miller, Jeff Miller, Roy Allen Miller, David Scott, Hardy Taylor
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Pee Wee Bowerman, Steve Scott, David Brown, Steve Barnard, Jim Riley, Andy Morrison, Kenny Pebworth, Harold Mathis
VISITATION MONDAY 1-8PM CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNSFSCOALGATE@SBCGLOBAL.NET. PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BROWN'S FUNERAL SERVICE - COALGATE, OK