Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Orvin H. Kiser Sr. ... former Augusta supervisor passes away

Orvin H. Kiser Sr. has passed away at the age of 76. A couple of weeks ago he had called an old friend, another supervisor who is still on the board, to say goodbye. The cause of death was cancer.

When I heard the news, it brought back memories of the days when Mr. Kiser served on the board as the Republican from the South River District. He was the one who caused me to pause and look at lone Democratic Supervisor Tracy Pyles not just as a Democrat. The supervisors were proposing the board take turns as they rotated the chairman position and, instead of the Republicans excluding those who were not Republican, they decided to include everyone to serve as chairman. As I recall, Mr. Kiser was a leading proponent of that proposal and it worked until this year and once before.

I suppose I best remember Mr. Kiser at the Augusta County Fair greeting folks from the gazebo where the supervisors would take turns each day greeting county residents. He was always jovial ... and he was always kind to me.

We are grateful to Mr. Kiser for his years of public service. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this sad time.

Obituary for Orvin H. Kiser Sr.

STUARTS DRAFT — Orvin Herman Kiser Sr., known by many as "Big Daddy" or "Big O," residing in Stuarts Draft, lost his battle with mesothelioma cancer on Monday, March 30, 2009. He went from the loving arms of his family to the safety of God's warm arms. Orvin was born May 17, 1932, in Stuarts Draft, a son of the late Marvin Turner Kiser and Edna Campbell Kiser.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his only brother, Roy D. Kiser Sr.

Orvin started Little League football in 1960 and was instrumental in starting other Little League programs in Stuarts Draft. His work with the many young people in the community and his efforts to develop the Stuarts Draft Park and the Diamond Club field are among his proudest achievements. He was a founding member of Waynesboro Mennonite Church, and he remained active as a Sunday School teacher of the Open Door Class. He was a Master Mason at the Lee Lodge in Waynesboro.

He served eight years in the U.S. Air Force, followed by 32 years at DuPont. Orvin had an extensive history of community involvement, including serving as president of Stuarts Draft Ruritan Club, the Sportsman Club and the Boosters Club. He was awarded the District and Zone Ruritan of the Year Award.

He served eight years on the board of supervisors as the South River District representative and was elected vice-chairman in 2000 and chairman in 2001.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Phyllis Kiser; two sons, Orvin H. Kiser Jr. and Ronald E. Kiser and Ladonna Coulter; one daughter, Teri Kiser Fust and her husband, John; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Kiser; and his nine grandchildren, Joey, Mandy, Karman, Heather, Trip, Whitney, Forest, Jackson and Jordan.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2009, at Waynesboro Mennonite Church at 1801 Monroe St. in Waynesboro.

In continuing with his service to others, Orvin has donated his body to science.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Waynesboro Mennonite Church, which will be followed by a dinner at the church. Pastor Howard Miller will conduct the service. The Revs. Charles Ramsey, Earl Monroe and Stanlee Kaufmann also will preside at the service.

The family requests that any memorials be made to Stuarts Draft Diamond Club, c/o Orvin Kiser Jr., P.O. Box 488, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477.

The family has entrusted the service to Charlton and Groome Funeral Home of Fishersville.

Family and friends may view this obituary and share memories and condolences with the family at www.charltonandgroomefuneralhome.com.

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