James Dennis “Jim” Riordan, age 72 years, of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. Jim was born on February 12, 1951 at Detroit, Michigan to John and Alta Lee Riordan, and grew up in South Lyon, Michigan. Jim attended college at the University of Idaho, where he also was on the University of Idaho Vandals Football Team. He later worked as a lumberjack in Idaho for a number of years prior to coming to Great Bend, Kansas. Jim worked in the Oilfield for over 50 years as a Driller for LD Davis Drilling, Duke Drilling, and Val Energy and as a Casing Crew Operator for Murray Casing, all of Great Bend. He was united in marriage to Ginger Richter on November 25, 1978 at Great Bend, Kansas. Jim loved his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, football, and was a lover of animals.
Survivors include his wife, Ginger Riordan of Great Bend; two sons: Evan Riordan (& Kelly Regan) of Great Bend and Hunter Riordan (& Kestrel Barnes) of Lawrence, Kansas; one daughter, Erin Riordan of Great Bend; 10 nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog Mocha. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and all five of his siblings: John Riordan, Janet Brown, Barb Blandin, Patrick Riordan, and Joe Riordan.