John E. “Jack” Riley, a 78-year-old resident of Houston, TX, died on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at Houston.
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John E. “Jack” Riley, a 78-year-old resident of Houston, TX, died on Thursday, April 17, 2003 at Houston.
Funeral services were held today (Tuesday, April 22) at LaPorte, TX, with burial in Houston.
Riley was born Feb. 8, 1925 in Trenton, the son of W.H. and Clara Riley. He was a 1948 graduate of the University of Kansas, working at newspapers in Kansas and Missouri before taking a job at General Dynamics. He went to work for NASA in 1959, spending 33 years in the Public Affairs Department, including a lengthy stint as head of the news division. He was the broadcast voice of mission control for the Apollo program, providing commentary during the first moon walk. As part of the Apollo 13 team, Riley was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Riley is survived by his wife, Pat Riley of LaPorte; three sons, Kevin Riley of Stafford, TX, Sean Riley of LaPorte and Brian Riley of Moscow, ID; one daughter, Kerry Regan of LaPorte; and 12 grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.