Ollie Riley Jr., 77, of Rapid City, SD, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife of 50 years and three children. He fought a very courageous battle against myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare form of blood cancer that causes bone marrow failure.

Ollie was born February 15, 1947 in Sallis, Mississippi to Ollie D. Riley Sr. and Rozel J. Riley (Guyton). From a young age Ollie was very interested in all things science. He attended and graduated from Jackson State College, Mississippi in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Minor in Physics. Also during that time he drove a school bus across treacherous roads and bridges wanting to ensure kids had every opportunity at an education. His passion for learning and researching continued throughout his life.

Upon college graduation, Ollie joined the US Air Force and received a certificate of qualification as a Combat Targeting Specialist. He was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. It is there where he caught the attention of a young Nurse Medical Service Technician named Donna who would become his wife and lifetime love. Ollie and Donna were married on October 19, 1974 at Ellsworth AFB and they enjoyed being on a bowling league together, disco dancing and bbq gatherings with friends.

Ollie decided to transition from the Air Force to a civilian job and started working at Control Data in Rapid City, South Dakota. This became a 35-year career as a Test Technician where the company name changed five times but he worked the same position and retired with Sanmina Corp in 2009.

Ollie and Donna became dedicated and proud parents to three children, Taunya, Melinda and Brinton. They raised their three kids going to Sunday school and church, and always put their children, and later five grandchildren, first and above their own needs and desires. Ollie loved to share his knowledge about science, technology and astronomy with his kids and even started a hobby with a goal of building a rocket and other electronics in his basement. He also had a passion for computers and his household in the early 80s was already ahead of its time with the VIC-20, followed by the Commodore 64 and several other advanced computers.

During the last year and a half battling MDS, Ollie demonstrated tremendous strength and courage. In his quiet manner that he always possessed, he found every bit of strength to enjoy another day and loved sitting at the kitchen table with his wife, talking on the phone with his brother Willie, sister Rosie, aunts Lucy, Jimmie-Ruth, Maribelle, Susie-Jean and Shirley, kids and grandkids. He always told his family don't worry about him and go take care of our own needs and families.

Ollie is survived by his ever-loving wife, Donna, three children Taunya Kepple (ex Mike), Melinda Applebee (Corey), Brinton Riley (Trisha); five grandchildren Jaden, Maxton, Kara, Kian and Aden; one brother Willie Riley; two sisters Rosie Jean Riley and Genet Alfred; like-family Chad, Ryan and Kristyne Eid, close friends Betty and Kerry; and many other caring family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie D. Riley Sr. and Rozel J Riley (Guyton); brother in-laws Rolando and Kendall Bodden and other loving family members.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, with Pastor Tom Stewart of Hills of Grace officiating. Graveside service will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MDS Foundation, https://www.mds-foundation.org/.

The family of Ollie wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff members of Monument Health that cared for Ollie with kindness, respect and compassion.