Brian Jay Riley
August 16, 1966 – July 7, 2020
Brian Jay Riley, 53, of Omaha, Nebraska passed away on July 7, 2020. He was born on August 16, 1966 at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, NE.
Brian won the Miller and Paine – Gateway 33rd annual National Baby Photo Contest in 1967. He earned his Eagle Scout with Troop 444 in 1983. He graduated from Millard North High School in 1984 and from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1998.
He held jobs at Imperial Life and Casualty, Best Buy, TD Ameritrade, Securities America, Cox Communications and the Lincoln Financial Group.
Brian enjoyed music of all types (the louder, the better), dancing, and following Chiefs and Husker football. He was a collector of music media and Tabasco sauces. Brian strongly maintained and loved family traditions. He insisted on strict adherence to all of his beloved Christmas, Easter, and birthday traditions.
He loved to go to Estes Park and Crystal Lake, Colorado as well as Phoenix, Arizona. He enjoyed hiking, camping, backpacking and fishing. With the Boy Scouts, he summited Mount Harvard (14,420 ft), Mount Yale (14,199 ft) and backpacked over 90 miles in 2 weeks at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. With his parents, he slid down Andrew’s Glacier after climbing Flattop Mountain (12,362 ft), Hallet Peak (12,713 ft) and Taylor Peak (13,158 ft) that same day. To complete his Hiking merit badge, his father and his mother accompanied him on a 22-mile hike in northern Rocky Mountain National Park.
Brian’s greatest joy in life was his family. He cherished his wife of 13 years. He was most proud of his role as a father to his five children. Brian was a loving son to his parents, and brother to his two siblings. He was an entertaining uncle to his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marian and Donald Riley and Larry and Leona Mason. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Riley; son, Michael Riley; daughter-in-law, Courtney Riley; son, Jacob Riley; daughters, Heather and Tabitha Whitehill and Makenzie Allen; father, William Riley; mother, Norma Riley; brother, Kevin Riley; sister, Erin Hoffman; brother-in-law, Rich Hoffman; nieces, Elizabeth and Katherine Hoffman; and nephews, Ben and Brandon Hoffman.
VISITATION following CDC guidelines: Sunday, July 12th from 6pm to 8pm, at the West Center Chapel. For memorials, please donate to the National Kidney Foundation or a charity of your choice.
19 Comments
We were so sorry to learn of Brian’s passing. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Bill and Norma and the entire family. You are in our prayers.
Dear Norma and Bill,
Knowing what loving and devoted parents (and grandparents) you are, I realize your grief at Brian’s passing is immeasurable. Please accept my sympathy and my best wishes for you and your family as you endure this profound loss.
Laurie
Please accept my deepest sympathy during this most difficult time.
Brian and I worked together for a number of years at Best Buy. I will miss his sense of humor and laid back demeanor. Even with his health issues, he seemed to keep his sense of humor and ability to deal with them in his calm, laid back demeanor. R.I.P. Brian, you are good people and I will miss you….Ya’ Putz!!
Bill and Norma, so sorry to hear about the passing of Brian. Just wanted you to know that we are thinking about you and our prayers are with you both and your entire family.
I will miss Brian a lot. He had a great way of dealing with his adversity with a combination of humor and calm. I know in these last few months there were so many times of hope and disappointment for him and he continued on regardless of the highs and lows. I worked very closely with him at Lincoln Financial Group all the way up until he went on leave and enjoyed our conversations and time together. He had a great sense of humor and you could tell he had a great love for his family with the stories he shared about his kids and Brenda. Please know that I will miss Brian greatly and hope all of those who are left without him can feel comfort in their sorrow now that Brian is gone from our lives.
Norma, Bill, Kevin, Erin and the entire family,
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and in our prayers during this deeply sad time of transition as we process the loss of a loving, kind, 53yo son, brother, husband, father and friend. Our only consolation is that he is in the hands of our Father now and free from pain and health challenges. Requiescat in pace, Brian. You are loved by many, many people!
Dear Judge Riley and Norma:
Megan and I are heartbroken that you lost Brian this week. We pray that you find some comfort and peace during this painful season. We are so, so sorry for your loss.
Peace,
Tory
Norma, Bill and family: We were so sorry to learn of Brian’s passing. It’s so difficult losing a child especially when it’s out of the natural order of life. We remember him as a sweet and beautiful toddler. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
In our Facebook messages I often referred to him as, “Tough Guy,” for all he had been through. Now he’s safe in the arms of God.
Many blessings and prayers to the family of Brian Riley. I worked with him at Lincoln Financial Group and I can say everyone who knew or knew of Brian are totally devastated by with the loss of him. He will be Forever in our minds and hearts.
Judge Riley, Norma, Kevin and Erin,
We are so very sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with you in this difficult time.
Kate and Nick Stephenson
Bill, Norma & family,
My heart breaks for you in your loss of Brian. The picture chosen here made me both laugh and cry. This is the Brian I’ll always remember. He climbed many mountains in his short life and this last one was the tough.. He is at rest. My deepest sympathy to you, and all his family..
Karen Isenberger (He always called me Mrs Isenberger as long as I have known him – nearly 40 years)
Bill, Norma & family,
My heart breaks for you in your loss of Brian. The picture chosen here made me both laugh and cry. This is the Brian I’ll always remember. He climbed many mountains in his short life and this last one was the tough.est. He is at rest. My deepest sympathy to you, and all your family. I share in your grief. .
Karen (He always called me Mrs Isenberger as long as I have known him – nearly 40 years)
Dear Norma and Bill
I am so saddened by this news. I know how close you are as a family. Please know I am praying for your family to have peace and comfort during this very sad time. God bless you.
Camille
Norma and Bill – I was so very sorry to hear about Brian. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your, as well as his, family as you go through the grief process and pray that you will soon find peace and comfort. From a former Stanford Street neighbor who still remembers.
Sincere sympathy to you all. We like remembering those wonderful times outdoors and hearing of all the scouting accomplishments and friends being silly! Love to you all as you keep fond memories in your hearts!
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Please accept our sincere condolences and heartfelt prayers during this difficult time.
We are so sad to hear of Bryan’s passing. We will be thinking of all the family during this difficult time.
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