Riley, Don L.,
71, passed away at his home on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, after a 19 month battle with prostate cancer which he fought bravely, courageously and with class.
He was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, the only son of Ervin and Frances (Young) Riley, both deceased.
He grew up in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, a 1958 graduate of Anderson County High School, immediately serving four years in the United States Navy, last stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.
Following his Naval service, he was employed by John Cooke Motors in Lexington, Kentucky for seven years, also was manager and part owner of a Harley Davidson
dealership w/John Cooke before coming to Louisville in 1969 as one of the original managers of the Neil Huffman VW dealership, serving Neil's organization for more than 42 years.
An avid automobile enthusiast - during the early 70,s he won several championships driving his yellow VW min-stock at the old Fairgrounds Motor Speedway. His passion for cars and motorcycles included many restorations over the years, most recently his 1949 Willy's Jeepster. He and Neil Huffman shared a love of old Porsche's, as Don's restored 1961 356 Porsche became the first in Neil's collection of Porsche's. He served several years as a Motocycle Safety Foundation Instructor.
He also enjoyed playing competitive tennis.
He is preceded in death by his son, Brent.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Linda (Rucker), and was the loving father of Duane (Kim) and Sean (Jenny); and 6 grandchildren:
Tyler, Dustin, Madison, Jack, Sara, and Brooklynn, plus his beloved JOY dog.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to Brown Cancer Center and Hosparus of Louisville for their care and support.
Funeral service will be 12:00pm Friday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Highway. Visitation will be Thursday 3-8 and Friday 10 until the service at noon. He will be laid to rest next to Brent in the Lawrenceburg Cemetery, Lawrenceburg, Ky.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Hosparus of Louisville.