Roll Call Tribute

Riley J. McDavitt 

December 14, 1950 - June 2, 2024 

Riley Jean McDavitt, age 73 of McQueeney, Texas passed away on June 2, 2024. Riley was born on December 14, 1950 in Ft. Riley, Kansas to Kathryn (Jordan) and Jerome A. McDavitt.

Born into a military family, Riley spent his early years in Kansas and France, but grew up primarily in the San Antonio area. He graduated from Churchill High School and would later serve multiple combat tours in Vietnam. Riley earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Horticulture from Texas A&M University in 1978, before returning to active military duty. After completing his military service, Riley began to focus on what would become his life’s calling: teaching.

Riley was a public school science teacher for over 30 years and also served as Cheer Coach for Southside ISD, River City Mustangs, and Camp Manager for the National Cheerleading Association. More than anything, he absolutely loved teaching others how to waterski at Lake Breeze Ski Lodge as well as Riley’s H2O Ski School. Beyond lessons, Riley taught countless friends, family and complete strangers to ski just for the fun of it. He retired from Seguin ISD in 2018, but continued teaching others to ski as long as the lake would allow.

Riley was passionate about waterskiing, barefooting, and most of all Lake McQueeney. He enjoyed spending time on the lake with his loved ones, skiing with the Ski Bees, gardening, mowing the lawn and watching Aggie sports. Riley had a tenacious spirit, taking on all obstacles with positivity, a laid-back attitude and a special kind of patience. He was an intensely loyal friend and an incredibly dedicated father.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his brother, Jordan McDavitt, his brother-in-law, Odes Ray Brown, and his cousin, Billy Kerwin.

Survivors include his son, John McDavitt and wife Rebecca; daughter, Felicia McDavitt Cordes and husband Luke; grandchildren, Marcus and Lily McDavitt and Lake Cordes; sisters, Linda McDavitt and Sandra “Sandy” McDavitt Brown; sister-in-law, Jan McDavitt; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and many friends.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at Lake Breeze Ski Lodge in McQueeney on Sunday, June 30th from 2:00 - 5:00 PM with remarks and military honors to begin at 3 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Riley’s name may be made to FOLM (Friends of Lake McQueeney), P. O. Box 781, McQueeney, Texas, 78123 or to the Lake McQueeney Ski Bees, P. O. Box 658, McQueeney, Texas, 78123.

As Riley would always say “Ski ya Later”!!!