Thomas Jerome "T.J." Riles

Thomas Jerome “T.J.” Riles, 27, of Morganton died Saturday, April 9, 2016.  Born in Burke County, NC on December 25, 1988, he was the son of Rodney Jerome Riles and Crystal Pearson Riles of Morganton.  T.J. was a graduate of Freedom High School.  He worked for several years with C.T.I. in the North Dakota oil fields.  For the past two years he worked for Carroll’s Concrete Finishing.  Mr. Riles loved the great outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He was also an accomplished horseman.  He was faithful and true to all who knew him.  T.J. lived life to the fullest and never met a stranger.

In addition to his parents, T.J. is survived by his adored daughter, Makenzie Cheyenne Hasson and her mother, Jessica Hasson, of Morganton; brothers, Hunter and Truman Riles of Morganton; grandparents, Bruce and Edith Riles of Morganton and Arthur “Babe” and Jessie Pearson of Morganton; uncles, Jeff Riles and his wife, Gina, and their son, Jade, and Coley Riles and his wife, Debbie, of Morganton; a large extended family; and many, many close friends.

The family will receive friends from 5 – 8 p.m., Friday, April 15, 2016 at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.  The funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 16 in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Larry Cline and the Rev. Steven Painter officiating.  Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Makenzie Cheyenne Hasson College Fund.