Herbert Riley

Herbert Gerald Riley, 89, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away July 20, 2024, following a bout of pneumonia at the end of a long, well-lived life. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lou Smith Riley, and their three children: Jeffrey Riley, Nancy Berry and Megan Dickenscheidt plus their spouses Jan Marie Riley, Frank Berry and Clark Dickenscheidt.

There are eight adult grandchildren: Colton Riley, Jarrett Riley, Brandt Berry, Carter Berry, Courtney Berry Morgan, Sean Dickenscheidt, Derek Dickenscheidt and Darby Dickenscheidt.

Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi September 28, 1934, Herb was a salesman and entrepreneur from his earliest days. From a paper route to office supplies, Herb found success and inspiration selling. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Herb spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, before returning to work for IBM where he began his career in sales.

Herb met the love of his life, Mary Lou, in California the summer of 1960 and the two were married February 11, 1961. They lived in Reading, PA, then Mahwah, NJ, and finally settled in Houston in 1970 with their 3 children.

Herb’s sales success and entrepreneurial spirit led him to build his own company, R Associates Inc., selling and leasing computer equipment from 1974 until it was sold in 2012. During his career, Herb became active in several organizations: Memorial Drive United Methodist Church and later, Second Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He was also a founding member of the Donut Club at Memorial Donuts!

Most significantly, Herb was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and recently celebrated 40 years of sobriety. He made many friends and volunteered leading an AA group at the Harris County jail every Tuesday evening for more than 10 years.

In 2022, Herb authored a memoir entitled “Our Journey: Having Fun” which he dedicated to Mary Lou. His closing words were for his grandchildren: “I wish that they will have God in their lives and I hope that they have fun being successful in whatever they do.”

Herb is preceded in death by his younger sister, Mary Walker, and survived by two other sisters, Betty Nobles and Faye Martin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 29th at 5:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway.