Firefighter Engineer Jimmy Dale Riley Jr., age 40, of the U.S. Marine Corps and Plant City Fire Rescue, passed away on February 24, 2021, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. Born on July 23, 1980, Riley was a native of Bartow, Florida.

Riley served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a military police officer. Once his enlistment ended, he returned to Florida and became a certified firefighter/paramedic. From 2004 until his retirement in 2021, he worked as a firefighter, driver engineer, and paramedic with Plant City Fire Rescue. Leaders there describe Riley as an “amazing guy who always gave his all. He would do anything for anybody.” Because of Riley’s diagnosis, Plant City Fire Rescue has introduced new protocols to mitigate illnesses caused by firefighting. In addition to his service as a firefighter, Riley was an instructor at Hillsborough Community College. He served his community selflessly and with love, and they loved him back!

Above all else, Riley was a devoted husband and father who put his beloved wife and daughter first. He had a great smile and enjoyed most outdoor activities, including hunting and fishing. Riley was optimistic about his health challenges and made a positive, lasting impression on everyone who met him. He holds a special place in many hearts and is deeply missed. We stand with his loved ones in honor and remembrance of a remarkable man.