Riley Dee Player

Riley Dee Player was born on September 26th, 1944 to Leo and Ann Oakeson Player and joined their growing family of boys. He lived for most of his life in Bennion, Utah, and other than the years in the Air Force he never wandered too far afield -- except for camping and hiking his beloved mountains and deserts, and especially the Bonneville Salt Flats. To say Riley gathered friends wherever he went is an understatement. It would be impossible to list them all, but they each should know he always kept them in his heart. Riley married Kathleen Crook (Kathy) and together they had two beautiful children, Josh and Elizabeth, and a second daughter who came into his life when Josh was smart enough to fall in love with Michelle -- or as we call her Mitch. Riley and Kathy and the kids made wonderful memories together with their love for nature and history as members of Rocky Mountain Fur Company, and Riley's first enduring love -- anything that ran with an engine. That love for engines turned into twenty years as a mechanic with Swain's repairing John Deere and other tractors and farm equipment, and then his own business for twenty more years, Riley's Rod and Relic Repair in Murray, Utah.

While that first marriage ended, as some do, his love of life and family never wavered. Riley married Sue Emmertson in 2003, on his birthday so he wouldn't forget the date, and inherited an additional family. Over the next two decades they have shared love, friendship and happiness, moving in 2006 to Fountain Green where a new host of friends joined those whom he loved and who loved him. Riley was preceded into his next chapter by his mother and father, brothers Don, Val and Doug, and very recently a grand nephew Cody. Riley is survived by his wife, Sue, his children, Josh, Lizzy, and Mitch, two amazingly talented granddaughters, Sawyer Rain and Amelia Dutch Player, and grandson, Fox, who we are assured is every inch a Player. Riley is also survived by his brother Jack and his wife Gayle, brother Glade and his wife Dendra, Caroline Player (Val), and Todd Bertagnolli (Doug), sons Deng Ahoachngar and Chol Dau Ayuel, many of those called the Lost Boys of the Sudan who found a home in Utah, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

As he struggled the last several years with COPD, caused as he knew from too many cigarettes, smoky engines and dusty fields, he never lost his will to live, and still had his list of things to do.

A Celebration of Riley’s Life will be done in two parts. The first part will be on April 18th at the home of Cheryl and Tony Kogianes in Fountain Green. The second will be in Bluffdale on June 6th at the home of a nephew. More specifics will follow.