Mark Hunter Riley

Beloved son and brother Mark Hunter Riley passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on the evening of April 16th from complications related to a brain tumor caused by neurofibromatosis. He was 24 years old.

Mark was born July 18th, 2000, in Farmington, New Mexico to Brenda Lang Riley and the late Jeffrey Donald Riley.

He is survived by his mother Brenda (Lang) Riley and big brother David Riley, maternal grandparents W. Earl and Mary (Campbell) Lang, paternal grandmother Alice Ann (Walterbach) Riley, uncles Bill (Tatia) Lang, Terry (Kristin) Lang, Michael Riley, his first cousins Heather, Bre, Emma, Sarah, Zach, Jake, Macy, and their spouses and children, as well as a multitude of great aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was deeply loved by them all.

Mark endeared himself to everyone he met with his unique combination of kindness, goofiness, and heartfelt sincerity. He was especially intentional in building relationships and invested time and effort in the people he loved. He called his mother and brother often while he was away at school and was a joy to be around when he was home. Whether it was watching movies on the couch, cooking together, hanging out with his brother, or sitting around the kitchen table talking, laughing, and sharing, he was present and cherished the time he shared with his family. He took care of his grandparents, helping them with any and every chore around the house or errand that needed to be run, and enjoyed spending quality time with them. He played with his little cousins, who looked up to him and adored him while he chased them around the house, took them swimming, jumped on the trampoline, and played any game they asked. For his older cousins, he was a snarky texter in the group chat, organizer of the annual March Madness tournament, initiator for board game nights, and a fun, unifying presence. He also kept in touch with friends both near and far and made connections everywhere he went, including his early life in Farmington, his church camp, and his college, Western New Mexico University.

Mark was also passionate about his faith and strived to share God’s love with all he met. While he was at WNMU, he attended weekly bible study, participating in both a small men’s group and a large group of college men and women. Mark was excited to have been chosen for a discipleship program at his college in Silver City, under the leadership of his good friend John Huskey. Just a week before his passing, he was called on to lead his first small group bible study and delivered a message about forgiveness, a topic he chose himself. He valued scripture and prayer and attributed both the blessings in life and the strength to overcome challenges, to God.

Mark was also an aspiring outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, and exploring his natural surroundings. He was pursuing a degree in Forestry Law with a minor in Criminal Justice with the hope of becoming a game warden or land surveyor, and working outside surrounded by woods, mountains, animals, and life.

He is missed greatly and will always be loved.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2pm, at Hills Church, 5101 N. Dustin Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to the animal shelter in your area, National Park Services, or the Children’s Tumor Foundation.