A celebration of life service for Michael Olen Riley will be 3:00 pm, Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the First Baptist Church of Covington with Reverend David Mendenhall officiating. Michael’s family will lay him to rest privately in the Laverty Cemetery in Cement, Oklahoma on Sunday, March 1, 2020. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Michael Olen Riley, 67, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 22, 2020. He was born on October 3, 1952 in Chickasha, OK, to Olen and Sue (Chambers) Riley. Mike spent most of his childhood between Cement and Ponca City, OK, where he graduated high school. He attended college at Oklahoma Baptist University in 1970. Forty-four years ago, Mike married the love of his life Joan Smith in Odessa, TX. Mike worked in the oilfield until he was called into ministry. He served at Liberty Baptist Church of Ponca City until attending seminary at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
After pastoring several churches in Louisiana, Arizona and Oklahoma, he retired in August 2019 from Crestview Baptist Church of Ponca City. He had a passion for missions and attended several mission trips to Mexico and Arizona. Mike loved Jesus, his family and each church family he served. Of all those he loved; his 8 grandchildren were the most enjoyable part of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents Olen and Sue Riley. Mike is survived by his wife Joan of the home in Sapulpa, OKJ; by four children, Amber and Jared Lieser of Glenpool, Joshua Riley of Tulsa, Autumn and Larry Portwood of Hill AFB, UT, and Jake and Cassie Riley of Piedmont; by his stepmom Bonnie Riley of Enid; by his brothers Mark Riley of Enid and Matt and Cheryl Riley of Enid; and by his sister Beth and Rick Miller of Lubbock, TX.
Mike’s goal in life was to serve the Lord. His approach was to always please God and not man and it showed in how he preached, played, supported his favorite sports and lived his day to day life. His legacy is found in a multitude of saved souls whom he touched. He was known as the “Sermonator”, Brother Mike, Daddy, Papa, and the “Big Kahuna” at Falls Creek.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home of Owasso with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
