John Calvin “J.C.” Riles
84, Covington, La.
John Calvin “J.C.” Riles was born in Sumrall on Oct. 27, 1935. He graduated from Sumrall High School in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Navy, in which he served for four years. Upon his return, he attended Pearl River College and Mississippi State University where he earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering. After graduating, he began a long career in aerospace engineering by joining Chrysler Corporation at the New Orleans Michoud Facility, where he worked on the Apollo program. In 1974, he joined Hughes Aircraft Corporation in El Segundo, Calif., where he worked on the Space Shuttle and worked on commercial and military satellites until his retirement.
After retirement, he lived in many places at different times, including Gulf Shores, Ala.; Asheville, N.C.; Redondo Beach, Los Osos and Morro Bay, Calif.; Ann Arbor, Mich., and Mandeville and Covington, La., where he passed away peacefully on Feb. 25, 2020.
His pastimes included reading, chess, crossword puzzles, motorcycling, hiking, whitewater kayaking, windsurfing, working on old cars and traveling. He was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Bessie Riles; brothers, Jimmie and Eugene Riles, and sister, June Riles Rogers.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Janette Harrell Riles; his son and daughter-in-law, Keith Riles and Sue Wagner Riles; grandchildren, Lizzie, Katie and Robby Riles, and sister-in-law, Betty Pfleger Riles.
He led a long and happy life. He will be greatly missed.
