BEAUMONT, Texas — Southeast Texas is mourning the loss of local businessman Pat A. Riley.
The 72-year-old and long time advocate for the Young Men's Business League, died Saturday.
Riley's friends and family say he spent nearly 30 years volunteering with the organization.
12News spoke to Riley's daughter, Holly Hicks, and she said he was a great dad and grandfather.
Those who worked alongside him at the YMBL say Riley had a work ethic that just wouldn't quit.
"If he told you he was going to do something he did it 100%," said Rodeo and Media Relations Chairman Donnie Warner.
If you ask anyone who knew Riley, they would lament on his passion to serve the community of Southeast Texas.
"I met Pat Riley years ago at the fair, I'm telling you it must have been 30 years ago. We both volunteered out there," Warner said.
Warren says that Riley worked his way up through the organization, from parking cars at the South Texas State Fair to helping to promote the rodeo.
"He would make phone calls to the radio stations, televisions all our media outlets and he wouldn't take no for an answer," said Warner.
Warner recalls one of his fondest memories from Riley's time volunteering.
"The biggest thing has been the kids rodeo that we put on every year. He would dress up as jelly bean, his clown outfit and rattle the bell for all the kids," said Warren.
When he wasn't making others smile, he was spending time at his old mortuary business.
"I know he was the owner of Pat Riley Funeral Home at one point, I was in the health care industry and he had an ambulance that he would bring patients to Baptist Hospital," said Warren.
The Nederland native leaves behind his daughter Holly Hicks and granddaughter Cadence Hicks.
His YMBL family says he is leaving a void there as well.
"He was always there. We'll have to find a replacement it'll be hard to do you can't replace him," said Warren.
Warren shared one last message for Riley's friends and family.
"Pat you were very well loved, and you'll be very well missed and we'll see you soon," said Warren.
Riley's daughter says his memorial will be held at the First Baptist Church in Warren.
While they are still working to confirm a date, it will be open to the public.