John Washington Riley

John Washington Riley, known to his family and friends as Jay, age 93, of Kansas City, Kansas died on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, from complications following a stroke at Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation Center, his home for the last 9 years.

Jay was born on October 21st, 1932, near the farming community of Atlanta, Missouri. He graduated from Atlanta High School in 1950 and then served in the United States Army for nearly 2 years in Korea. He married his sweetheart, Yvonna Mae Todd on February 6th, 1955, in Kansas City, Kansas where they lived for over 30 years and were married for 61 years before her death in 2017. Jay was a long-time member of Grinter Chapel UMC in Kansas City, Kansas and worked for a concrete construction company in the metropolitan area for over 25 years before retiring due to a severe head injury. With Yvonna, he started an antique/collectibles business, and they travelled around the country participating in many trade shows. Jay became quite skilled at restoring and repairing antique furniture as well as plying himself as a handyman. Over the years they also lived in Hartville and Lowry City, Missouri before returning to Kansas City in 2016 to be nearer to their kids and grandkids.

Jay was preceded in death by his wife Yvonna Mae (Todd) Riley, his father, Albert Clarence Riley, his mother Dorothy Louise (Danner) Riley, his step-mother Bernice Evelyn (Wilhelme) Riley, two brothers: Theodore Wayne "Teddy" Riley and Clarence Darrel Riley, his father-in-law William Elbert Todd, his mother-in-law Ethyl Zola (Marah) Todd, four brothers-in-law: Ester Berdell Todd, Donald Truman Todd, Clifton Owen Todd, and Jesse Morris Todd, and five sisters-in-law: Kathleen Agnes "Kathy" (Copper) Todd, LaVonne Arlene (Lackore) Todd, Catherine Anna (Price) Todd, Delores Ann (Hartman) Todd, and Doris Opal Mae (Mallett) Riley.

Survivors include his three children; RickL Riley (Michaela), Cheri Saint (Gary), and Dav Riley (Therese), eight grandchildren; Richaela Staley (Mark), Tiffany Mellott, Derek Mellott, Elizabeth Cole (Josh), Brienn Riley, Amber Berry (John), Mackenna Riley, and John Riley, ten great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, in-laws and out-laws.

Jay loved to play cards and games, work jigsaw puzzles, tell stories, listen to "good old Country Western and Gospel music", watch old Western movies and TV shows, dance, pray, read, and spend time with his family. "The greatest thing is family." ---Jay Riley.