Jason Michael Riley

October 2, 1984 ~ February 26, 2023
Jason Michael Riley, 38, passed away at home surrounded by family on February 26, 2023. He was born on October 2, 1984, to Lonnie Riley and Sandy Ayers, in Pikeville, KY. He was the older sibling to his brother and closest friend, Joshua Riley.
In 2006, Jason sent his first MySpace correspondence to Kymberly Stowe, and they wed in 2009, going on to have their son, Callan Landis Riley in 2017. Laughter would often be heard from the escapades of Jason and Callan. The love shared between he and Kymberly could be heard by one word, “babe.” There was no better husband nor father.
Jason was learned, versatile and rugged. After serving in the military, he received his bachelors and masters degree in theology and then turned to a life of farming and giving. He loved to work the earth and be in nature. He and his wife started a farm in the mountains surrounding Asheville. His goal was to create a self sufficient farm that would also give to the hungry. His non-profit that he created was already regularly donating cows to the local food bank. But he would also keep pre-packaged meals in his car to hand out to the hungry. He loved to hike, read, hunt, wood work, philosophize, invent, and dream. He could discuss the philosophies of Aristotle in the ancient Greek all while castrating a new bull.
Jason will be missed by all who knew him. He has left his mark on our hearts and they are forever changed. His laugh was contagious. He carried the burdens of anyone who laid them on his feet and never wavered. He played hard and loved harder. We cannot wait to see him again.
His funeral will be held at Groce Funeral Home’s West Asheville location, 1401 Patton Avenue, on Friday, March 3, 2023. Visitation will be from noon to 1:00 p.m. followed by the service. A livestream of that service may be found here: https://boxcast.tv/channel/funeral-service-for-jason-riley-ewyj8t5yhtwp9nh8v9o3 A private graveside ceremony will be held at Green Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to one of Jason’s charities to which he gave: Broken Boot Farms.
Services
Visitation: March 3, 2023 12:00 pm - May 3, 2025 1:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Funeral Service: March 3, 2023 1:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Private Burial:
Green Hills Cemetery
25 New Leicester Hwy.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-9831
Our family is praying for the entire Riley family and hoping that the memory of this good and faithful servant will inspire all of us to love and serve one another as Jason did.
The Black Family is praying for God to wrap you all in his arms, that Jason shows up in your lives daily as you learn to navigate life without his physical presence, he is always with you, in your hearts and minds. What a glorious day when we are all reunited at the gates of Heaven!
Praying God will comfort and give you peace.
What a great legacy he has given you all.
Praying God will comfort and give you peace
So sorry for your loss
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. May God be with you and your family.
Kim Plemmons
I am so sorry my prayers are with you
Josh, you and your family are in our thoughts. We are so sorry to hear about Jason. We pray for God to comfort your family in this time of sorrow.
Tina Somers, Steve Rector, Chris Berry and Jamie Conley.
Terry and I grieve the passing of our wonderful neighbor, friend, and brother in Christ. We feel a terrible void in our lives with Jason’s absence. Jason and I were also part of a brotherhood of former Marines. We pray for “the peace of God, that passes all understanding” for Kymberly, Callan, and all his family and friends. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.”
I want to express my condolences to the Riley Family. In the short time that I had worked with Jason at Allstate, I learned that he was a terrific and talented person with good heart who cared about others. He will be definitely be missed by our Allstate family.
Please know my continuous prayers are with you all.