Riley Wilson, Jr.

Riley L. Wilson was born in Houston, Texas to Riley L. Wilson, Sr. and Jessie Reese Wilson on February 1, 1936. He has two sisters, Jean Donester and Cindy Wilson and one brother, Mitchell Wilson. Riley moved at an early age to Los Angeles, California with his sister Jean and his mother. Riley attended Elementary School here in Los Angeles and went on to Carver J, High School. He attended Manual Arts High School for a while (although many would swear he attended Jefferson High since he was there every lunch hour). He graduated from Compton High School in 1954. He attended Harbor Junior College in 1955 but left after one year. From 1964 to 1967 he attended California Polytechnic Institute in Pomona and majored in Ornamental Horticulture. Riley played basketball at all the schools he attended from High School to College.   Riley married Vernell Edwards in 1955 and they had two sons, Ricky Darryl and Kirk Dwayne. They were divorced in 1963. Riley met Dorothy Wilson in 1960, and they were married in 1963 and had one son, Mark David. Riley and his family lived in West Compton for 2 years before moving to the home that most of the family and friends remember in East Compton (4015 Elizabeth!). Riley and Dorothy moved to Downey California in September, 2000.   Prior to starting his own business in 1979, Riley worked as a tree trimmer for Los Angeles County and as a part time Recreation Leader for the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation. In his role as recreation leader he supervised youth activities and coached youth sports in basketball, softball, track and football. Following this Riley started his career in Interior Plantscaping. He worked as a plant technician, a landscape supervisor, and a plant maintenance supervisor before he started Expert Plant Care. He enjoyed being an entrepreneur working in this company every day.   Riley is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Dorothy (Dottie) Wilson, his three sons Ricky (Nora) Wilson, Kirk Wilson, and Mark (Gail) Wilson, five grandsons, and only one granddaughter, two sisters Jean Donester and Cindy Wilson, a brother Mitchell Wilson, six great granddaughters, and one great grandson. He had a lifetime mentoring relationship with his oldest nephew Don (Grace) Donester and his oldest grandsons Rashad Wilson and Kurtis (Adrienne) Wilson who also mourn his passing. He is also mourned by his adopted son Eric (Patricia) Wilson, Sr., and he was always devoted and committed to his Godson David.