Jonathan Thomas Riley's Obituary
Jonathan Thomas Riley, 39
September 15, 1983 – November 21, 2022
On November 21, 2022, at 8:25am Jonathan Thomas Riley succumbed to his three-year battle with stage four melanoma. Jonathan was surrounded by his wife, family, & closest friends when he began his transition to be with his Lord and Savior.
Jonathan is preceded in death by his nephew Adam Lucas Riley, his maternal grandmother, Sara Sewell Babb, paternal grandparents, George & Maxine Riley. He leaves behind his loving wife, Susanne Riley, daughter Bella, and sons Hudson, Jon Mac Riley, & Hayden Erickson, his mother Lisa Van Frank (Tommy), father Frank Riley (Sally), brother Andrew Riley (Katie), & sister Molly Ashford Rook (Colton) & niece Beatrice.
Jonathan came barreling into this world September 15, 1983 and would prove to be a handful to his parents and younger siblings for the remainder of their years together. Jonathan enjoyed a childhood filled with sports, specifically soccer & tennis, and close friendships that would last a lifetime. His unwavering faith was cultivated at a young age, often memorizing, and quoting scripture, and would continue to be the foundation for every path of his life. He was a man who epitomized God, Country, Family. Jonathan was an avid University of Tennessee fan and was overjoyed to see his beloved Vols finally turn the program around this year and beat Bama; he reminded everyone every chance he got that they were back on top.
After graduating from Military Academy in 2002, Jonathan devoted his young life to the safety and protection of his country by way of The United States Army for 8 years, earning the distinguished and well-deserved rank of Sergeant. Jonathan was highly decorated having received the Army Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, and Army Service Ribbon. He saw imminent danger in Iraq and was Honorably Released from Duty in 2013 after having served as Military Police.
After returning from active duty, Jonathan would go on to expand his family by his four beloved children Bella, Hudson, Jon Mac, and Hayden. Jon adored his children emphatically and valued every moment he was able to spend with them and the love of his life, Susanne, regardless of how his body would eventually betray him.
Jon was diagnosed in 2020 with Nodular Melanoma. Through various treatments, immunotherapy, radiation, chemo, or clinical trials, Jon never let the cancer affect his sense of humor. A habitual “Facebook Jail” inmate, the only thing that surpassed his long list of Facebook offenses were the innumerable friends, brothers and sisters in arms, and family who loved him unequivocally and whom he never missed an opportunity to spend time with. His innate desire to help others was as contagious as his wheezing belly laugh when he got really tickled. Jon was a lover of long nights of high-volume music and late-night Krystal runs. He loved music. Everything from Kenny Chesney to Breaking Benjamin to Project Pat. He felt it in his soul, as did everyone else nearby that could hear him singing at the top of his lungs.
The family will receive friends 2-5 p.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2022 with Services beginning at 3:30pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in The Riverside Room. A private interment will take place later for family, where Jonathan will be given military honors and join his service brothers and sisters and respectfully be laid to rest at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to:
West Cancer Foundation (www.westcancerfoundation.org)
The Veterans Association (www.vetsaa.org)
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