Roll Call Tribute

Aaron Burr Riley, Jr.
April 4, 1930 - November 3, 2022

The earth lost and Heaven gained a saint of a man, Aaron Burr Riley, Jr., on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. He was surrounded by family and peace with his passing.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church, Fort Worth, Texas.

A.B. was born April 4, 1930, to Katherine Espey and Aaron B. Riley, Sr., in San Benito, Texas. He was raised in San Benito, attending San Benito High School and was a graduate of Texas A&M College Class of ’51. He was known by his childhood and oldest of friends as “Mickey”.

After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M, A.B. served as an Army Aviator during the Korean War serving his country as a flight instructor. He pursued his love of aeronautics with a career at General Dynamics, Fort Worth, Texas. He started his career, drawing from his flying background, as a flight test engineer. His career spanned multiple engineering programs, including the F-111 Aardvark and F-16 Fighting Falcon. In 1992, he retired after 37 years.

In 1962, A.B. married the love of his life, Susan Ann Buck from Highland Park, Texas. The two of them embarked on a family to include four children and raised their family in Fort Worth, Texas. Susan left us for her Heavenly home just over 5 years ago.

A.B. was staunch in his faith in the Anglican Church and shared his love of God with his family. A.B was secure in his passing, longing to gain his Heavenly wings and join Susan’s open arms.

A.B. was a mentor to all until the day he passed. He raised his children sternly in love and fatherly teachings. He was integral in all aspects of his children’s lives instilling a love for sports, outdoors, cooking and a long list of paths we each individually pursued.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Katherine Espey and Aaron B. Riley, Sr.; his loving wife, Susan B. Riley; and his grandson, Ryan Allen Holladay.

Survivors: Children, Patricia Holladay and husband, Mike, Michael Riley and wife, Stacey, Shawn Mackinson and husband, Bruce, John Riley and wife, Toni; grandchildren, Danielle Schlegel and husband, Ethan, Bobby Riley and wife, Stevie, Reid Riley, Courtney Riley, Kaylie Bell, Riley Mackinson, Aaron Mackinson, Hannah Riley, Haley Riley, Adam Biggerstaff; great-grandchild, Scarlet Riley; numerous nieces and nephews; and his many friends.

Memorial and internment services for A.B. are currently pending.