E.J. "Sonny" Riley, 96, of Elk City, Oklahoma, formerly of Gruver, Tx passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Graveside service will be held Monday, June 15, 2020, 11:00 am at the Gruver Cemetery. Viewing will be Saturday, June 13, 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Sunday, June 14, 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Family visitation Sunday, June 14, 2020 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Boxwell Funeral Home in Spearman. Arrangements are made by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.

E.J. Riley was born July 14, 1923, in Dexter, Texas, the first son, "Sonny," to Elias Jefferson & Florence Chisum Riley. Within the year, his brother and best friend was born, Roy "Skeeze" Riley. Siblings Margaret Faye, Kathryn Rae, William Matthew, and Mary Sue followed.

Sonny grew up in the Dexter and Callisburg communities enjoying all the fun the outdoors had to offer with Skeeze. His maternal grandparents, Matt & Lela Chisum, played a big role in his childhood. He and Skeeze graduated from Gainesville High School and joined the Merchant Marines shortly afterwards. Sonny served in WWII on the ship Charles F. Windsor as chief radio operator.

E.J. was married to Frances Putman in September 1942 and they had two daughters, Saundra Kaye and Darla Jean.

After moving to Gruver to farm for J.A. Ayres, Sonny and Skeeze owned a Conoco distributorship, stuccoed houses in the area, owned Riley Brothers Radio & TV store, built a translator system, operated and maintained the local gas and water systems and owned and operated several cable companies.

Sonny loved being a part of the community in Gruver and was honored to be named Citizen of the Year in 1973. Sonny enjoyed having coffee, arguing politics and telling tall tales with his friends daily. His interests included flying his plane, tending to his yard and large garden, playing practical jokes, working, playing cards and working jigsaw puzzles. He was a member of the Gruver Masonic Lodge and Lions Club, Kiva Shrine and was a 32nd Degree Mason at El Paso Scottish Rite.

Sonny is survived by his daughters, Saundra and husband, Paul; Darla and husband, Mike; one granddaughter, Stacy Gumfory Esquibel; three grandsons, Chase Fuller and wife, Heather, Clint Fuller and wife, Maren, and Clay Fuller; three great-granddaughters, Sophia & Isabelle Esquibel and Jaycee Fuller; two great-grandsons, Jack & Elliot Fuller; his brother, Bill and wife, Sherley; two sisters, Kathryn and Sue and husband Danny; brother-in-law, Roy Sparkman; and many nephews and nieces.

Memorials can be made to scottishritehospital.org.