Obituary of Jermaine Montell Riley, Sr.

Jermaine Montell Riley Sr. was born on January 18, 1983 in Long Beach, CA to Darrell Riley and Lisa Williams. He was the second eldest of eight siblings. Although his childhood was far from ideal, it helped him to develop the resilience necessary for the life he had before him. As a young child, Jermaine, along with his siblings, were raised by their great, great aunt Bennetta Brown, affectionately called Nana, along with the support of their father Darrell Riley. From youth, much like his father, Jermaine showed a great tenacity for music. He began taking piano and drum lessons in his youth. His love for music carried on throughout the duration of his life.   At the age of ten, Jermaine’s family relocated from California to Corsicana, TX. He attended Sam Houston Elementary (TX), Collins Middle School (TX), and Corsicana High School (TX). His enthrallment with music lead him to join his school’s local band. He played many instruments from piano, drums, violin, clarinet, flute, trumpet, and oboe however, in his junior year of high school he received a scholarship for his excellency in mastering the tuba. Outside of the band, Jermaine showed a passion for sports, in particular, football. He played organized football from middle school all the way to his senior year in high school. Jermaine endured many adversities in his life. Towards the end of high school, he experienced another huge transition in his life when his Nana passed; forcing him and his siblings into the foster care system, where they were separated. He along with his other two older siblings were eventually taken in by their foster mother Janis Martin, who overtime he endeared as a mother. Through this relationship, he inherited five more siblings- John Martin, Jason Martin, Derrell Davis, Terrell Davis, and K’lora Martin, who he treated no differently than his own. After becoming of age, Jermaine moved back to Denver, Colorado to be close to his dad and grandma. As an adult, he began working and he rarely went without employment. He worked for various companies and eventually got multiple management positions that often left his siblings wondering, ‘what exactly’ was on his resumes because despite his given circumstances he landed the best jobs in the family! He was known for working hard and showed determination in his places of employment. Some of his career accomplishments were being the Operations Manager at Father and Sons Moving and Storage (CO) as well as his final job as a Station Manager for Air General (UT). Often misjudged by his harder exterior appearance, Jermaine was a man filled with compassion and love. His love was often shown in the most peculiar of ways: extreme pranks, wrestling matches, making fun of you; anything he could do that would make himself laugh. He had the most infectious laugh; often times laughing at things that may not have been funny to you but tickled him so much until you were both laughing. It was hard to find him without his goofy smile spread across his face. He loved messing with anyone in the family from his grandmother, his sibling, his cousins and uncles. He enjoyed being an uncle and spending time with his nieces and nephews from swimming with them or just being there in the moment with them. He was not intimidated by the number!   Though Jermaine had many accomplishments in life, his most esteemed accomplishment was being a father. Before he had children of his own, he took care of and watched over his younger siblings. But his life was forever changed when he had his own children. Khaliyah Riley, Jovanni Riley, and in Union, Kennedy Riley, and Jermaine Riley Jr. He loved his children unconditionally and made sure to show up for as many events as possible in their lives. From birthday parties, to Valentine’s Day cards, hopping on a plane to see them when they were born, and being overjoyed and full of tears each time seeing them. They were his pride and joy and he often made a point to say that they were his EVERYTHING.   Among his hobbies were reading James Patterson books and cooking. He developed a love for cooking and baking. You found him often grilling or cooking something for the family. He made the best sweet and savory cupcakes. He aspired to one day open his own food truck, cooking everything, not limiting his options but going for it all!   Jermaine departed from this life on January 31st, 2021. Jermaine will be gravely missed by his family and friends. Preceded in death by: His Foster Mother Janis Martin, and brother John Martin. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss are his Grandmother: Evelyn D. Bradley; Father: Darrell L. Riley; Mother: Lisa L. Williams; Children: Khaliyah Riley, Jovanni Riley, Kennedy Riley, and Jermaine Riley Jr; Siblings: Brandon Riley, Jesse McDowell, Brian McDowell, Ebony Gomez-Martin, Ivory (Micah) Curtis, Jamaris (Shanice) Williams, Blake Williams, Jason Martin, Derrell Davis, Terrell Davis, K’lora Martin; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.