Jack Riley

Jack D. Riley

GREAT FALLS —Grandpa Jack passed away on April 10, just two short months away from his 96th birthday. He was born in Snohomish, Washington to Abbie Haines and Thomas Riley. The date of his birth for the first 63 years of his life was June 10, 1919. Then upon retirement from Burlington Northern Railway in 1982, it was discovered that his birth date was July 11, 1919. The family can only surmise that since he was raised by his grandmother Julia Haines, that she thought that June 10 was his birthday.

Jack was named after the prize fighter, Jack Dempsey. Jack was one of 8 children born to his mother, Abbie Haines, who was a graduate of Carroll College, but made her living as a lady of the evening. She left her 8 children for Grandma Haines to raise during the great depression. Jack's father, Thomas Riley left the family for parts unknown, Jack thought he went to Texas.

While growing up, he and some of his close friends (he refers to them as the 'Rat Pack'), used to get up early in the morning and sip the cream off of the milk bottles in the neighborhood before people got up. The Rat Pack was always up to something. Jack instigated activities somewhat.

Jack graduated from high school in Monroe, Washington and got a job with the Great Northern Railway. He married his high school sweetheart Aurelia "Lala" Gustino in 1939. He was on the basketball and football teams and lettered in both. They had two children; Jackie who passed in 2004, and Darlene. Jack and Lala were married for 68 years until her passing in 2006. His beloved Persian cat, Charlie, passed in 2010.

He joined the Navy during World War II and was a storekeeper aboard the ship, USS Neshoba. Upon returning from the war, Jack went back to work for the Great Northern Railway as a Gandy Dancer and later as a Track Inspector. He was promoted to Roadmaster in 1956 and was responsible for the rails between Spokane, WA and Whitefish, MT. He was transferred to Great Falls in 1962 and maintained the rails between Great Falls and Billings. When Burlington Northern SantaFe took over, Jack was transferred back to the Spokane/Whitefish Division. Jack, Lala and Darlene lived in Bonners Ferry, Idaho as that was the central point for that railroad division. Jack & Lala called Bonners Ferry home for over 50 years. His son, Jack, lived in Weiser, Idaho for most of his life in a group home there.

Jack was a master gardener and his corn crops were the talk of the town. The Bonners Ferry Herald featured an article and picture of his corn that was 7 to 8 feet tall. Jack and Lala were co-founders of the Mirror Lake Golf Course in Bonners Ferry, and both were avid par golfers. His great-grandson Dylon will soon graduate from the Golf Professionals of America which made Jack very proud. Dylon posted on Facebook; "Well grandpa, you lived a hell of a life. Thank you for getting me into the sport I fell in love with. I always loved getting in trouble from grandma when she found out I was sneaking you chews or beers. I just wanted one more time of golfing with you. Love you g pa Jack and I know you have many friends waiting to greet you."

He will be missed by all who knew him as he was one of a kind. Jack is a 50 plus year member of the Calam Shrine in Bonners Ferry and also the Alzareba Shrine in Phoenix, Arizona where he and Lala spent 16 winters in Mesa. Being an active member of the Shriners was very important in his life.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Darlene (LeRoy) Meddock; granddaughter Suzie (Mike) Bedwell, of Great Falls; grandsons Brian Meddock (Greta) of Boise, Idaho and David (Tammy) Meddock of Phoenix, Arizona; great grandchildren Drew (Cory) Burington of Culbertson, Zachary Meddock of Missoula, Dylon & Brooke Meddock of Phoenix, Bud Mohr of Boise, Bryce Fuller of Spokane; two great-great grandsons, Carson and Spencer Burington of Culbertson; and sisters June Myrick and Peggy Kendall both living in Snohomish, WA.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Tom, Jay, and Johnny and sisters Pearl and Ethyl.

Family was everything to him. He had a special spot in his heart for Gizmo, Darlene & Leroy's Pomeranian that he helped raise from a puppy.

Kindred Healthcare/Park Place was his home for the past 4 years. A heartfelt thank you to all the CNA's, nurses and administrative staff. A very special thank you to Angie and Cindy Brown and Lisa Swanson for your love and kindness. You were very special to him.

No services are planned per his request. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.

Memorials can be sent to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 911 W 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204.

Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.