Riley Blaik Allred

Riley Blaik Allred was born in Edmond, Oklahoma on July 28, 2000. He was a happy child and loved his Gigi, Uncle Jordan, and Nanny & Papa. Papa was especially enamored with our sweet Riley, always saying he was so smart and pretty, just like him. Riley was certainly a surprise to a 20 year old girl, but he was always deeply loved and taken care of. He and his mom grew up together and formed an unbreakable bond. Even at a young age, Riley was opinionated, full of sass, and loved his family. When he was 8, he met his future dad and got not only a great friend and mentor, but an amazing and loving tribe of friends, honorary aunts and uncles, wonderful experiences, and cherished memories.

Riley split his education between Deer Creek and Stillwater, graduating from Stillwater High School in 2019. Riley attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Arizona wanting to study cyber security, but all he really wanted to do was be a subject matter expert on anything and everything!

Riley was smart, quick witted, and had a sensitive heart. He was a quiet love bug who loved to be around friends and laughter. He loved sports and always liked to root for the team no one else was rooting for just to break the mold and be competitive. Riley had a brilliant mind when it came to player or team stats. “Allred over Romo” was a term used amongst friends on Sundays. He was so excited when he got to join his tribe’s huge fantasy football league and wanted to win his first year in. Riley loved to team up with his mom on game night and they always dominated trivia so much that they weren’t allowed to play together. Riley never lost his childhood appetite! He especially loved bacon pizza, chicken nuggets, waffles, doughnuts, and his mom’s desserts. Descriptions about Riley from his tribe include: handsome, loving, captivating smile, sweet, positive, funny, smart, loyal, quiet, kind, witty, competitive, sarcastic, fun to be around, caring, sports enthusiast, hoodie wearing, bacon loving, compassionate, soft hearted, a great hugger, and LOVED.

Riley is preceded in death by his loving great grandparents, Nanny & Papa, who were the second to welcome their great grandson into their arms after Jesus told him he was home.

He is survived by his loving parents, grandparents, and a tribe of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He is greatly missed.

Riley had everything to live for, but struggled with depression and coping with life’s difficulties. Mental illness robbed everything from him and his family will be champions in normalizing mental health awareness. Access to mental healthcare is a universal human right and no one should suffer alone. Please seek help, reach out, take your small wins, and wait for the sunshine-because it will come again.

In remembrance of Riley’s life, his family asks that any charitable donations be made to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Please visit afsp.org

Though I can’t see you, I can feel you in the love you left behind

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