James Rieger

James Joe Rieger
March 21, 1947 – October 6, 2021

James Joe Rieger, 74, went to be with the Lord on October 6, 2021.
James was born in Rosebud, Texas to Joe H. and Bertha Buxkemper Rieger on March 21, 1947. He grew up on the family farm and attended Lott High School where he played football. He married Jeanne Smith in 1969, and they raised their 4 boys (Jeffery, Richard, Danny, and Shane) in the Waco area.

James was drafted into the Army in 1966 during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Korea for 13 months until he was honorably discharged. He retired from Southwestern Bell in 2002 after over 39 years of service. After this retirement, he worked at Providence Hospital until he fully retired in 2020.

James has been a very active member at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Waco since it was established in 1982. He was a Eucharistic Minister and part of many groups and volunteer activities. He was also a 4th degree knight with Knights of Columbus Council #13005.

James loved sports, in particular any sports that his sons and grandchildren played. During his boys’ youth, you could always find him on one of the fields of Midway Little League. When they were in school, you could find him in the stands of a football, baseball, or basketball game or at the track of Midway High School. He was a proud supporter the Baylor Bears especially when he traveled with the Baylor Football team providing communication support for the coaching staff. Later in life, he became a proud supporter of the Baylor Lady Bears Basketball team as a season ticketholder. He also loved to play many card games and dominoes especially at family reunions. He had quite the green thumb and loved planting flowers and gardening.

James was preceded in death by his father, Joe, his mother, Bertha, his sister, Mary Ann, and brothers, Gerald and Leon. He is survived by his four sons, their wives, 14 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter – Jeff and Thea Rieger and Karmen, Sophie, Levi, and Brynn of Morrison, Colorado; Richard and April Rieger and Cash, Hunter, Preston, Sandra Oden (and husband Zach and great granddaughter Aspen), and Olivia Sorrels (and husband David) of College Station, TX; Danny and Julie Rieger and Mason, Cason, and Kenlie of Round Rock, TX; and Shane and Molly Rieger and Maddy and Caleb of McGregor, TX. He was also surrounded by the love and compassion of other family and close friends including Cheryl Lewis of Hewitt, TX.

On Monday, October 11th , 2021, a rosary will be at 5pm with visitation following from 5:30-7pm at OakCrest Funeral Home located at 4520 Bosque Blvd. in Waco, TX. A funeral service will be at 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 12th , 2021 at St Jerome Catholic Church at 9820 Chapel Rd. in Waco, TX. Interment will be at Sacred Heart cemetery in Lott, TX.

A special Thank You to the nurses and healthcare providers at The Delaney at Lake Waco and Interim Healthcare. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St Jerome Catholic Church.