Until now, all that most people knew about Riley Strain was that he was 22 years old, tall and from Missouri. His obituary offers a more thorough look at his passions, ambition and commitment to service.
- Riley Strain’s body was found in the Cumberland River on March 22 after he went missing in Nashville on March 8.
- He was in town for an event with his fraternity at the University of Missouri.
- Police say there is no evidence of foul play.
Related: Here’s What Police Think Happened to Riley Strain
Who Is Riley Strain?
Riley Strain was born on Jan. 2, 2002 in Springfield, Miss. and is a graduate of Kickapoo High School. His major at University of Missouri was in business and financial planning, and he had recently completed an internship at Northwestern Mutual, where he “demonstrated a natural acumen for the industry.”
However, it’s his family life and personal passions that stand out in an obit published to Greenlawn Funeral Home.
In addition to his mother, father and two step-parents, Strain leaves behind two siblings named Brooke and Brock. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and more are also left to grieve his death.
“He was very close to his 10 year old niece Henly,” the obituary reads, “and cousins Jake and Chelsea, plus a 2-year-old 2nd cousin, Cooper.”
Four dogs will also be missing their friend Riley this year, as will the large community he joined with playing tennis and learning Jiujitsu. Additionally, he donated over 500 hours to the Wonders of Wildlife, earning him the Presidential Medal for Volunteering.
“Above all, Riley cherished time spent with family, creating lasting memories.”
A celebration of life will be held after a visitation scheduled at Greenlawn for March 29. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Riley Strain’s Parents Speak Out
At a press conference assembled last Friday (March 22), Strain’s parents expressed gratitude for the support they’d received over the last two weeks.
“I just ask that you mamas out there hug your babies tight tonight, please,” mother Michelle Whiteid said as tears started to flow. “Please for me, hug your babies tight tonight. And again thank you. Thank you for sharing our story.”
Strain’s last stop in Nashville was the bar Luke’s 32 Bridge, named after Luke Bryan. He was kicked out after 9:30PM on March 8 and started to walk north.
Neither Bryan nor the restaurant group that owns Luke’s 32 Bridge has made a statement since a March 15 explanation of Strain’s final moments in the bar.
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