James began this life on December 8, 1941, in Ardmore, OK the son of Youcon and Katherine (Wells) Riley. He grew up and attended schools in Marietta where he was a member of the high school football team. At an early age James had rodeo in his blood. He rode bareback broncs and was a team roper on the rodeo circuit. His passion for rodeo also led him to be a key figure in starting the Pro Youth Rodeo Association. Later, James would also become a stock contractor for the Professional Bull Riders Association. He ran his team of bulls across the United States for more than 10 years and also had one of his bulls recognized as bull of the year.

By trade, James worked in the oil field and later as a carpenter and painter. He was also a proud member of the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations. James spent countless hours making belts with Indian beadwork with practices passed down to him from earlier generations. So many things brought peace and joy to James, but maybe none so much as spending time with his children and grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents; his second wife Peggy; his third wife Sandy; son, James Riley, Jr.; grandson, Riley Trey Kirk; and son-in-law, Chris Kirk.

Those left to cherish his memory are daughters, Katherine Kirk of Marietta, Connie Barker and husband Richard of Marietta, and Karen Riley of Marietta; stepsons, Kasey Willis and wife Lisa of Forney, TX and T.J. Willis of Canon City, CO; grandchildren, Kyle Kirk and wife Lacie, Colt Riley and wife Kaci, Shiann Kirk and husband Steven, Brandon Mathews and wife Lindsey, Montana Williams and husband Chuck, Taylor McQueen and wife Nykki, Laramy Ford, Raven Pecina and husband Keanu, Julie Newton, Nikki Barker, Alise Riner and husband Kaleb, Layne Huckeby, and Justice Blake; step-grandchild, Kaleb Willis; 26 great-grandchildren; the mother of his children, Andrea Mobley; and his best friend and dog, Buddy.

Casket bearers are Brandon Mathews, Kyle Kirk, Taylor McQueen, Laramy Ford, Colt Riley, and Austin McQueen. Honorary bearers are Johnny Hilton, Randy McCollum, Cody Lambert, Jerry Vaughan, and J.W. Hart.