In Memory Of
Jerald Anthony Riley
1948
2016
Jerald Anthony Riley
September 14, 1948 — April 24, 2016
Jerald Anthony Riley was the fourth of fourteen children born to the union of James and Bertha Riley. He was born on September 14, 1948 in Cincinnati, Ohio. On April 24, 2016 he passed away, resting comfortably in his home after battling cancer for several years.
Jerald, known to everyone as Tony, was raised in the church and attended St. Mark Catholic Church of Evanston, Ohio (now Church of the Resurrection). He attended seminary school in Canton, Ohio before deciding to move back to Cincinnati and graduate from Courter Technical School. Always a lover of music, Tony went on from there to attend Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where he studied business and music and became a member of the CSU Jazz Lab Orchestra and got his first taste of stardom, touring with the Duke Ellington Orchestra as an opening act.
Tony became a drummer and background vocalist at Motown Records in the 1960's and 1970's for The Supremes, the Merry Clayton Band and over a dozen groups, including The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas. Tony traveled with the groups everywhere from Europe to South America and was eventually nominated for a Grammy Award for a vocal duet with Carole King and the Merry Clayton Band for "Oh No Not My Baby." Tony also performed on the first two Cheech and Chong albums and sang background on Three Dog Night's, "Joy to the World" and "Black and White". Most recently Tony was part of the documentary, "20 Feet from Stardom" which won an Oscar in 2014 for "Best Documentary."
Tony is considered by anyone who knew him as the life of the party and if you were lucky he might let you get a word or two in between his many hilarious "show biz" stories. He had a bigger than life personality and will be missed by many.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Russell, Charles and Kevin Riley. He is survived by his lovely and caring wife of 25 years, Jacqueline Riley (nee Riley); children, Jerald Anthony Neuman, Alissia Erin Riley, Michael Riley, Sean T. Riley, Marcus Riddle, Marlon (Michelle) Riddle; 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; siblings Frederick (Linda) Riley, Jacqueline (Richard) Cox, Kenneth (Jeannie) Riley, Linda (Bruce) Ringer, Jeanette Elsberry, Chris Riley, Craig (Mary) Riley, Kim Riley, Steven (Marylyn) Riley, Jeffery (Deborah) Riley; and a host of beloved family and friends.
In loving memory of Jerald, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society. Funeral Ceremony will be 10:30 am Saturday, April 30, 2016 with a visitation from 9:30 am - 10:30 am at Church of The Resurrection, 1619 California Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237.
To share a memory of Jerald or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Jerald, known to everyone as Tony, was raised in the church and attended St. Mark Catholic Church of Evanston, Ohio (now Church of the Resurrection). He attended seminary school in Canton, Ohio before deciding to move back to Cincinnati and graduate from Courter Technical School. Always a lover of music, Tony went on from there to attend Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where he studied business and music and became a member of the CSU Jazz Lab Orchestra and got his first taste of stardom, touring with the Duke Ellington Orchestra as an opening act.
Tony became a drummer and background vocalist at Motown Records in the 1960's and 1970's for The Supremes, the Merry Clayton Band and over a dozen groups, including The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas. Tony traveled with the groups everywhere from Europe to South America and was eventually nominated for a Grammy Award for a vocal duet with Carole King and the Merry Clayton Band for "Oh No Not My Baby." Tony also performed on the first two Cheech and Chong albums and sang background on Three Dog Night's, "Joy to the World" and "Black and White". Most recently Tony was part of the documentary, "20 Feet from Stardom" which won an Oscar in 2014 for "Best Documentary."
Tony is considered by anyone who knew him as the life of the party and if you were lucky he might let you get a word or two in between his many hilarious "show biz" stories. He had a bigger than life personality and will be missed by many.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Russell, Charles and Kevin Riley. He is survived by his lovely and caring wife of 25 years, Jacqueline Riley (nee Riley); children, Jerald Anthony Neuman, Alissia Erin Riley, Michael Riley, Sean T. Riley, Marcus Riddle, Marlon (Michelle) Riddle; 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; siblings Frederick (Linda) Riley, Jacqueline (Richard) Cox, Kenneth (Jeannie) Riley, Linda (Bruce) Ringer, Jeanette Elsberry, Chris Riley, Craig (Mary) Riley, Kim Riley, Steven (Marylyn) Riley, Jeffery (Deborah) Riley; and a host of beloved family and friends.
In loving memory of Jerald, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society. Funeral Ceremony will be 10:30 am Saturday, April 30, 2016 with a visitation from 9:30 am - 10:30 am at Church of The Resurrection, 1619 California Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237.
To share a memory of Jerald or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerald Anthony Riley, please visit our flower store.
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