Gene Riley

Gene Riley, age 84 of Gatesville, passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022 in Gatesville.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive visitors following the service at the funeral home. Private family interment will follow at Gatesville City Cemetery.

Gene was born on August 2, 1937 in Gatesville, to the late James Riley and Eton Riley Meares.  He went to school in Gatesville and signed up to enter the US Army at the age of 17.  He served in the Army until 1958 and was discharged to the Texas Army National Guard, until being called back up to active duty in 1961.  He was honorably discharged in 1962 and served in the Army Reserves.  He married Jerry Dixon on May 3, 1958 and they resided in Gatesville, most of their married life.  Gene worked for a short time at the Gatesville State School for Boy’s, he owned and operated Riley’s Exxon for many years, transported trailers for Kalyn and then owned Riley Auto Sales until his semi-retirement in 2013.  He loved traveling and going on motorcycle trips all over the United States, with his buddies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, James Meares; sisters, Doris DeMilia, Ellen Lam; and sister-in-law, Bobbie Riley.

Gene is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jerry Riley; daughters, Jackie Ferrell and fiancé, Ray Reinert, Tracy Jowers and husband, Gary, Marcie Latham and husband, Jeff; brothers, Jim Ed Riley and wife, Linda, John Riley; six grandchildren, Stonie Colt Ferrell and wife, Megan, Noconie Bailey and husband, John, Laramie Jowers, Toby Jowers, Lyndsie Bergman and husband, Hunt, and Klayton Latham and wife, Lauren; and thirteen great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Boys and Girls Club, 2533 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528 or The Big Sting, 3417 Imperial Dr., Gatesville, TX 76528.