Jerry Kiser

Born July 28, 1941, in Dante VA,

Jerry was the fourth of seven children to the late Aubrey Kiser and Maggie Rasnick Kiser. He was preceded in death by his brother, Aubrey Kiser; his mother-in-law, Miyoko Sakamoto; and his brother-in-law, Masatane Sakamoto.

Jerry is survived by his siblings, Gary Kiser, Erma Counts, Peggy Grizzle, Glen Kiser, and Joseph Kiser; his wife of 57 years, Toshiko Sakamoto Kiser; their sons, Brian Kiser and Kevin Kiser; their daughter-in-law, Jean Cantey Kiser; and their grandchildren, Spencer Kiser, Grace Kiser, Kasey Kiser, and Niko Kiser.

Jerry was a man of few words, but he was very intelligent with a sneaky sense of humor. He enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, dominating Trivial Pursuit, and relaxing afternoon naps. Toshiko called Jerry “Mr. Tomorrow” because he liked to procrastinate. Jerry graduated from Ervinton High School in Nora VA in 1957, and then attended Virginia Tech and Clinch Valley College (VA) before joining the Army in 1963. Great fortune shined on Jerry in 1964 when he met Toshiko Sakamoto at Camp Drake in Asaka, Japan. They were wed in May 1965 in Tokyo. After Brian’s birth in 1966, they moved to New Jersey where Jerry was stationed at Fort Monmouth, where Kevin was born in 1968. After two years working for Western Electric on Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific, Jerry and family returned to NJ. Jerry worked at Bell Labs (NJ) for 10 years until he began building custom frames to help Toshiko’s thriving craft business, Japanese Handicrafts, at Rockaway Mall (NJ) 7 days a week for 9 years. Then, they went into business together (and still managed to remain married) doing custom framing at Frames for You 6 days a week for 18 years in Summit NJ. They retired in 2005 and moved to Williamsburg VA, where they enjoyed visits to and from their children and grandchildren in NJ and NC. In August 2021, they moved to Wilmington NC and met many wonderful neighbors and new friends. Jerry spent his final Christmas surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

A Visitation will occur Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and a Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Coble Funeral & Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1155 Shipyard Boulevard, Wilmington, NC 28412.

Memorial contributions in Jerry Kiser’s memory may be made to Fisher House Foundation at fisherhouse.org. Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www.dignitymemorial.com for the Kiser family.