James, known to his family as J.D., was born in Missoula in 1984. He grew up there attending Paxson and Russell elementary schools, playing T-ball, participating in Cub Scouts and spending time with his grandparents, relatives and friends.
James moved with his family to Redmond in 1993 where he attended Audubon Elementary School, Redmond Junior High and Redmond High, graduating in 2002. During that time James was very active in Scouting, attending the 1998 and 2000 National Order of the Arrow Conferences and the 2001 National Jamboree. He staffed at Camp Brinkley, became a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow in T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge and attained the rank of Eagle Scout with Redmond Boy Scout Troop 591.
James volunteered for a second assignment in Iraq with the Puerto Rico National Guard, which was short-staffed and could use his Spanish language skills, developed while working at Acapulco Fresh in Redmond with his three brothers.
James cared deeply about his family and friends and could always be counted on for help. He loved the outdoors, his dogs Bailey and Lucky, literature and writing, and he hoped to go to college and become an English teacher.
James would have turned 23 on Feb. 27.
He is survived by his mother Pat McCune; father John K. Riekena; brothers John W., Joe and Joshua Riekena, all of Redmond; and his sister, Jaime Riekena of Missoula. Also surviving are his grandparents, Sharon and Jim Riekena of Missoula.
Funeral services will be held at the Missoula Alliance Church, 100 Foss Court, on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at noon. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula, with military honors.
The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.
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