Arthur Carr Riley, Jr.

Arthur Carr Riley, 85, of Yakima, Washington, passed away peacefully at home on Oct, 20th, 2026. He was surrounded by love and family when he passed.

Art was born on Sept. 18th, 1941, in Bush, Illinois, to Arthur “Buck” Riley and Irene (Worthen) Riley. Art is the second of three children: his older sister, Helen Ann (who lovingly gave him the nickname “Guy”), and his younger brother Rodger.

After graduating from Carterville High School in 1960, Art joined the US Navy and proudly served for four years. Art served as ship's company on both the USS Intrepid (CV-11) and the USS Constellation (CV-64), where he worked as the interior communications man (IC). Art’s time in the Navy led to a 30-plus-year career in telephone communications as an indoor technician and to a loving 63-year marriage with his wife, Norma.

In Oct. of 1962, while on shore leave, Art whistled at a slowly passing car, whose two
occupants were checking out three good-looking sailors. Little did Art know that the driver of said car would become the love of his life. On January 21st, 1963, Arthur and Norma said “I do,” and from there they built a life filled with love. Like most couples, they had their share of ups and downs, but they always found their way back to one another.

After years of traveling around the country and starting a family, Arthur and Norma began looking for a slower-paced life. They arrived in the Yakima Valley in 1974 and settled in Naches, Washington. During the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Art was a permanent fixture in Naches. While working at the local telephone company (GTE Communication Systems), Art was the go-to guy for telephone issues. Art also frequented the local “Pit-Stop” in the mornings, and sometimes in the afternoon. He and his coffee-drinking buddies played dice to decide who would have to pay.

Art had a real heart for sports in Naches. Whether it was coaching his daughters' t-ball and softball teams (the Yakity-Yaks), watching them play in school sports, or following the Naches Rangers on to state in basketball. Art was always there for his team.

In 1982, Art and Norma moved to Gleed where they settled for the next thirty-plus years. In this new home with acreage, Art embraced his love of animals. The little Riley “farm” was never without their animals. They had dogs, cats, goats, mules, donkeys, cows, and even a horse at one time. Art especially loved raising Highland Cows. Most days, you could find him in the pasture fixing sprinklers, mowing the grass, or leading his cows to the barn with a bucket of feed and a few dogs in tow.

In recent years, Art was diagnosed with dementia, and in those years his family watched as he slowly began to lose the essence of who he was. Every once in a while, the old Art would shine through the fog and be his silly old self. Every day, his granddaughter, Amanda (also his caregiver), would wake him and ask how he was feeling. His usual reply was "with my hands." Every night, before Amanda left, she would ask her grandparents to let her know if they needed anything; most of the time, Art would respond, "I want a million dollars." That's just how silly and goofy Art was.

Some of Art’s greatest joys were his grandchildren. He was always proud to hold each new baby in his arms or take the older ones for rides on his tractor. And oh boy, did he love his great-granddaughter Eleanor; every day (even on his bad days), while she was at school, he would ask, "Where is sugar at?" or "Where is Elea?" The two had a special bond, even at the end. Almost daily, Eleanor would read funny storybooks to Art. Anything to make him smile or giggle again.

Art is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Norma; two daughters, Andrea and Tracy
(Kevin); four grandchildren, Amanda (Thomas), Mathias, Ashe, and Angus; his precious
great-granddaughter Eleanor; his sister Helen Ann and his brother Rodger (Terri); and many “adopted” family members that he grew to love like his own. He is preceded in death by his parents. Above all, Art leaves a legacy of love for those blessed enough to have known him.

Art truly will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local no-kill animal shelter or a veterans’ cause.