In Honor of Riley James

Note: This GoFundMe fundraiser is for the James family who unexpectedly lost their son and brother, Riley James. The beneficiary of this fundraiser is the James family. Donated funds will help cover expenses for Riley's Celebration of Life and general expenses accrued due to time off work. A scholarship fund will be established at a later date with the excess funds to help those that want to attend the Firefighting Academy I and II through the Sierra College Fire Academy.

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the passing of our Riley James. Words cannot adequately articulate the magnitude of loss experienced in having to witness the diminishing of his bright light. The pleasure to know and love Riley was the honor to have his blue eyes meet yours with that twinkle he possessed, his offering of a smile that was so genuinely ever-present, and his strong, all-encompassing hugs that he gave so willingly. In his twenty-four years of life, he lived large and loved big. Always motivated and never without a plan to pursue the best of life, it is with immense shock that he went to bed on Saturday, March 4th and never awoke to work his early morning shift as an EMT.

Our family has received an immediate outpouring from those feeling the loss alongside us and wanting to offer support. Never would we have imagined ourselves here, broken and vulnerable. Riley’s parents, Kial and Katie, and his siblings, Carter, Lauren, Holden, and Sawyer are left trying to make sense of the insensible. An unfortunate part of the human condition is the unforeseen and sometimes no amount of preparation can ease the burden that is being forced to carry. So it is with the hesitant blessing from Kial and Katie that this GoFundMe exists. Besides the cost of bringing Riley back home to his beloved Nevada County, cremation, and the expense of the Celebration of Life that will be held (save the date for Thursday, April 27th), it is his family’s wish that surplus funds help to establish a scholarship for those that want to walk the path Riley chose and pursue a career serving others. Since he was a very young child Riley always knew he wanted to help others in this capacity, so it was no surprise that his heartbroken parents spoke of wanting to help others in memoriam of their son the very day upon learning of his untimely death.

It is a humbling experience to call unto others in a time of need. So many have already offered so much, whether through prayer, food delivered, sweet sentiments spoken, and/or money graciously given to help ease the burden. I have personally witnessed the community become God’s hands and feet and help to carry the James family when they cannot carry themselves. Please know that they are deeply appreciative of all that is being offered. There are no great or small offerings in a time such as this, simply hands and hearts open to help lift up the devastated.

A website (RileyCJames.com) that will reflect the beautiful life Riley lived, along with all things pertaining to our Riley James, is in action and will be available soon.

Just as words are inadequate in despair, in moments of deep gratitude they too so often fall short. A simple spoken or written thank you can not do the heart justice, and yet this is all we can offer to you right now – thank you, thank you, thank you.

With Love,

Sadina Renfrow, Riley’s Auntie

On behalf of the James Family