Gregory Wesley Riley, 66, of Sugar Creek, MO passed away peacefully on October 2, 2021.
Visitation will be 12-1 p.m. Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Heart of God Fellowship in Buckner, MO. Funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. Burial at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Higginsville, MO at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gregory’s name can be made to the Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City.
Sixty-six short years ago Opal Virginia Spangler Riley gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy. In true Gregory Wesley Riley fashion his Cinco De Mayo birth was the beginning of his life’s celebration! Greg had a love for life that was unparalleled. He loved without reservation, forgave without grudges, and accepted with rose colored glasses. The old saying “I’m not here for a long time, I’m just here for a good time” didn’t just apply to Greg, it was created for him! Greg spent his early years in Middletown Ohio where his devotion to his family shined brightly when the Riley clan would gather for family dinners. Family time was spent often at the Middletown alliance fishing club. Greg often found humor in the small things, like releasing the fish his dad worked so hard to catch. Like the typical singling dynamic, his baby sister Deborah, would be the first to let her daddy know how his fish escaped. Upon completing the 6th grade Greg’s family moved to St. Petersburg FL. Greg was on the football team and played the trumpet in the school band. He graduated from Dixie High School in 1973. During his short time in FL Greg Discovered his passion for music. While he loved any instrument, he excelled behind the drums. No surface was safe. He drummed on the counters, dashboard, kitchen table, you name it. In 1974, After high school, Greg joined the Army and was stationed in Hawaii. Due to an injury, his time was cut short and he was honorably discharged from the US Army. Once discharged Greg started his real life’s journey when he moved to CA and met the love of his life, Cheryl Grizzard. While living in CA Cheryl gave birth to their 3 beautiful daughters. Jessica (Ryley) Thomas, Andrea (Shawn) Lewis, Jennifer (Drew) Beougher. Their journey led them to St. Petersburg FL where Cheryl gave birth to their one and only son, Jeremy (Tiffany) Mitchem. In 1995 Greg packed up his 4 most valued possessions and started the trek to KC where he gained employment at Johns Manville and earned his retirement. Kansas City is where Greg grew his roots and instilled in his children the importance of family, the same way he grew up. Greg had a big family. He was blessed with 4 grandchildren whom adored him as much as he did them. Remi, Jada, Camille, and Thea were all as familiar with the same knee tickling, sugar stealing, impression yielding, song singing, loving grandpa that the rest his family adored.
Along with his kids and grandkids, many nieces, nephews, sisters, cousins, brothers, and extended family and friends mourn the loss of Greg’s genuinely loving soul.
To know Greg was to love him. He never met a stranger. His impression was a lasting one and his smile was contagious. His memory will live on through all of his loved ones.
Obituary submitted by family
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO 816-796-8600