Obituary of Joe Ray Kiser

Joe, 75, passed away on August 24, 2013, due to complications following brain surgery, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. He was born June 24, 1938, in Hope, Arkansas, to John W. and Emma (Patterson) Kiser. Joe graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1956. He married the love of his life, Marian MeLear on September 2, 1960 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Joe served his country for 22 years in the US Air Force as a radar technician and disaster preparedness expert. The military took Joe to many different states around the US and many other places around the world. Joe and Marian finally settled in Tacoma, where they have lived for the past 37 years. After retiring from the Air Force, he went to work at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard in electronics. Joe was a funny, loving, quiet, and devoted man who enjoyed golfing and genealogy in his spare time. Joe is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Marian (MeLear) Kiser; son Victor (Brian) Kiser-Mathis of Portland, Oregon; daughters Mary (Steven) Vickers of Olympia, Washington and Andra Kiser of Tacoma, Washington; sisters Linda (Kiser) Grover of Bryant, Arkansas and Glenda (Kiser) Hubbard of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; brother John W. (Brenda) Kiser of Las Vegas, Nevada; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father John W. Kiser, mother Emma (Patterson) Kiser, and sister Mary Don Kiser. A graveside service will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross. Please leave memories of Joe or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.