Pat M. Riley Sr.

Pat M. Riley Sr. of Little Rock, surrounded by his family, died peacefully at home on Tuesday. He was 92. Pat was born in Little Rock, October 27, 1923 to India and John Riley Jr. He graduated from Little Rock High (now Central) and Little Rock Junior College (now UALR) before enlisting in the US Army Air Force as a ground corpsman. In World War II he served in the Pacific Theater and returned home with the rank of Sergeant. He would ultimately spend 20 years in the Air Force reserves before retiring as a Major. After the war, Pat earned a B.S. degree at the University of Arkansas before attending Harvard Business School (class of '49). In 1950 he returned home to Little Rock to work for the Winburn Tile Company where he became a regional sales manager. In his early 40's, Pat assembled a group of investors to back him in the acquisition of a nursing home (Riley's Oakhill Manor North). Eventually his company (Riley's Inc.) would grow to include Oakhill Manor South (Little Rock), Woodland Heights and the Riley Building. In 1985, in partnership with his son, Pat Jr., he entered the health club business. Over time, the Riley's operated four clubs: the Little Rock Athletic Club, the Little Rock Racquet Club, the North Little Rock Athletic Club and the Downtown Athletic Club. Pat was a life long tennis enthusiast. In addition to his love of playing the game, Pat became an accomplished umpire and was selected to call matches at the US Open and Wimbledon. He was inducted into the Arkansas Tennis Hall of Fame in 1982 for his contributions to the sport. In 1989, he was inducted into the first class of the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame as a "friend of the sport" for spearheading the effort to provide championship facilities at the Little Rock Racquet Club for what became the home of the stellar Dolphin swim team. He was also an accomplished singer and enthusiastic performer. A long time choir member at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, he regularly sang solos there even well into his 92nd year. Pat is survived by Martha, his wife of 64 years, his children, Janna Knight, Pat Riley Jr. and Katherine Shoulders, his grandchildren, Nichlaus and Patrick Shoulders, Riley, Annie and India Knight and Cally Cochran along with many nieces and nephews who he adored. Pat was preceded in death by his siblings, India Hicks, William (Dub) Riley, Sarah Cross and Edward Riley and his beloved youngest daughter, Anne Rutledge Riley Cochran. The family would like to deeply thank all of the marvelous caregivers who provided support, companionship and comfort to both Pat and Martha over the past several years. There will be a memorial service on Friday, September 9, 2016 at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church at 3:30 p.m. Immediately afterwards, there will be an informal gathering of family and friends at the Little Rock Racquet Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the church or a charity of your choosing. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. Sign online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.