James “Riley” Verden, 86, of Borger, passed away on June 24, 2026. He was born in Lexington, Missouri, on March 5, 1940, to J.R. and Thelma Mae (Hudson) Verden.
Riley was an accomplished woodworker. He built small projects over the years, including shelves, tables, and cabinets. Several of these projects were given as gifts for birthdays or Christmas. He was a certified scuba diver and visited many lakes and the Gulf of Mexico to pursue his hobby.
Riley was a proud Army veteran who served his country in Korea. After his Army service, he spent most of his career in the welding supply business, starting in Borger and retiring in Springtown in 2010.
Riley was a joy to be around. He often shared stories from his childhood. He was very proud to be a Phillips Blackhawk, telling several stories about his high school football years.
He was a spiritual man with deep beliefs and convictions. He was an honorable, loving man who will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Thelma Bullard; his first wife, Diana; his sons, Wade and Spencer; his sister, Joyce; and his brothers, Larry, Wayne, Kenneth, and Bobby, and his grandson, James.
Riley is survived by his daughter, Dusty Liles, and son Ty; grandchildren, Lynn Liles; Leslie Green and husband, Jeff; and Riley Spencer Verden; and great-grandchildren, Evie McSweeney and Max Green.
He is also survived by his wife, Ila Verden, and her sons, Todd Lemon and his wife, Darla; and Terry Lemon and his wife, Tina; grandchildren, Kyle Lemon and his wife, Cassey; and Chelsea Lemon; and great-grandchildren, Eliza, Hezekiah, Malachi, and Elsie Lemon; and Daniel Lemon.
Riley was a great man and will be dearly missed. Condolences to his friends and family.
Definition of “good dude”. I only knew him for a short period late in his life. He sold me his home in Springtown when he and Illa moved back to Borger. He left me many tools and supplies in the workshop. He knew I would put them to use. I wish I could have known this man much earlier in his life. I know he lived a spirited and faithful life. I found his family Bible behind one of the shelves that he built. It had obviously been accidentally pushed off the shelf and fell behind it. When I called to let him know, he was extremely excited. Once again great man!
Riley was like a brother to me. He and I shared many fishing trips , high school football games and family time around the pool in Springtown. He was a very honorable man in all that he did. His religious faith was a very big part of his and Diann’s life. We would go to Quanah ,Tx and work with my Dad on the E- S ranch moving cows from pasture to pasture ,plowing fields and hauling feed from a small farm on Red River. Being with Riley was a wonderful part of my life. I will miss talking to him and hearing his voice. May God bless his family as they all grieve over his passing. Please family remember him as the good man he was.