Donald Wayne Riley, age 78, passed away early Monday morning on December 30, 2024.

Celebration of Life:  2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Biggers Funeral Chapel.

Visitation:  1:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to Celebration of Life.

Don was born to Robert Morgan Riley and Melva Agnes (Judson) Riley on January 19, 1946 in San Diego, California when his mom was visiting her parents.

He was raised in Fort Worth along with his older brother, Robert Damon Riley and younger sisters, Joy Kay and Cathy Jo in the Birdville school district area. They attended Birdville Church of Christ. When Don was in the 7th grade they moved to "The Hills" where he attended Fort Worth Christian and graduated in 1964.

Don also attended Fort Worth Christian Junior College. He then joined the Air Force Reserves in October 1966. He was sent to Lackland Air Force Base for basics and was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth a few months later.

On March 21, 1965, he met Sara K. Mitchell, and they were married on August 24, 1968, at College Hills Church of Christ. Don worked at General Dynamics and later enrolled in the Chapman Court Reporting College. After graduating, he and Sara moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in October 1972 to begin his court reporting career of 40 years. While in Baton Rouge he worked for the Detrich and Pickett freelance firm. Later he worked for an Action Court Reporting firm where he was the Vice President of the company. He also taught typing and English at a junior college at night.

In 1974 they came back to Texas and moved to Lake Worth. They had their first child, Scott in Baton Rouge and later welcomed their daughter, Kelby in Texas.

Don freelanced as a reporter for the Wayne Silverman court reporting firm for ten years. After that, he moved to the Tarrant County courthouse and worked for three judges in a civil court for 26 years. He also sat on the Court Reporter Sate Commission for about three years and filled in as a substitute court reporter for several years before retiring.

He was very active in the community and helped coach the kids in soft ball and football. He worked concession stands, went on field trips, and helped with the Special Olympics one year. Don served as a committee member of the Lake Worth School Board and was also the president. He also sat on two different Lake Worth City boards.

Don had many hobbies through the years and was a ham operator, a drummer, rode a motorcycle, raced at local drag races, worked on committees at the church, served as a reserve police officer for two years, loved to travel and loved watching Aggie football.

Don was a loving husband and father and always put his family first.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sara K. Riley; son, Scott Riley; daughter, Kelby Luther and husband, John; sisters, Joy Hardisty and Cathy Jo Laxton and husband, Dave; nephew, Jon Riley and wife, Heather and their son, Cooper; nephew, John Mitchell; many wonderful cousins, nephews and nieces.