Archie James Riikola, age 85, of Oak Ridge, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Aug. 13.
Mr. Riikola was born in Glasgow, Mont., on June 4, 1940, to Archie W. and Katherine Riikola. His family moved to Oak Ridge in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, where he attended St. Mary School and Oak Ridge High School, and then the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He also was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Mr. Riikola is preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Katherine Riikola; his sister, Mary Catherine Rainwater; his brother, Thomas Riikola; and his former wife, Jacqueline Broome.
He is survived by his daughter, Margo Davis (husband Bob Davis); grandchildren, Trevor (wife Savanna), Tristan (husband Jaxon, son Rhett), and Tyler; son, Rick Riikola (wife Jacelyn); grandchildren, Reece (wife Destinee, son Koa), Lindsey, Ashlyn, and Ethan; and son, Ronald Riikola. He is also survived by his fiancée, Zella Schultz; brother, Dr. Robert Riikola; brother-in-law, George Rainwater; and his best friend, Robert Carmack; and many more who dearly loved him.
Though born Archie, to all who knew him he was simply “Jim.”
Mr. Riikola worked at Y-12/ORNL for more than 30 years and was fortunate to retire at age 55. He then devoted much of his time to his greatest passions—family, the outdoors, hunting, and fishing.
A funeral Mass for Mr. Riikola was held at St. Mary Church in Oak Ridge on Aug. 30.