Jimmy Leon Kiser

You may not know Jimmy, but if you met him, you did not forget.
Jimmy Leon Kiser, 58, went home to be with Jesus as the clouds parted and the sun shone on his face. He was surrounded by the love and peace given by his three daughters and Annie at his daughter's home in Charlottesville, VA. As he parted from this world, his grandchildren's laughter could be heard in the distance. His smile was infectious and the twinkle in his eye, genuine. His motto was "Life is good" and it was, especially in these last few years while he enjoyed "living in paradise" at Ocean Isle Beach and traveling to visit his family. He lived life to the fullest taking delight in the simplest of things, while finding beauty in the rest. Jimmy was an excellent carpenter and was a self-employed home builder. Following his retirement, he could often be found enjoying sunrises, sunsets, the beach, reading, flowers, shelling and finding driftwood; or simply taking pleasure in ature. Jimmy was a great animal lover being an avid horseman and owning horses and his beloved dogs, an Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retrievers. He was dearly loved his family that lived close by at the beach and was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him, but since his smile was infectious and laughter resounding, it will be with happy memories.
Jimmy was a native of Gaston County, educated in Gastonia schools being voted Most Valuable Player in Football during his senior year at Hunter Huss High School. He played in the Pop Warner Bowl in California and loved the game. Jimmy graduated from Duke Power's School of Welding, followed by several years of career welding. Jimmy shared his natural gift with his students at Brunswick Community College as a welding instructor. While at Brunswick Community College, he was given an award of appreciation for building a prototype machine to be used in the agriculture industry for the country of Guyana that held multiple uses and used its waste as fuel. During this time, he often created metal sculpture through the art of welding. He also held a degree in Equine Technology. Jimmy was a Vietnam War Veteran obtaining the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Marksmanship Metals. His dedication and sacrifice to his country and its citizens was his most proud accomplishment.
Jimmy was still a baby boy to his mother "Ma" Mary C. Kiser of Southport, N.C. He was Daddy and Poppadaddy to his three daughters and their families-Bonnie "Boozie" and son, Christian "Little Man" Eaddy of Raleigh, NC, Tricia "Skeeter" and Chad "Chadboy" Raby; and children, Keri-Lee "Princess" and Peyton "PeyPey" of Charlottesville, VA, Carrie "Carrie Bud" and Zack "Zackman" Worrell and children, Cyrus "CyBoy" and Celia Belle "Belle" of Charlottesville, VA. He was Jimmy to his first wife and mother of his three daughters, Ann "Annie" Medley of Raleigh, NC. He was Jimmy to his sisters Dianne "Dee" Lovingood and husband, Tom "Lovingwood", and Brenda "Bren" Jeffers of Ocean Isle Beach and to his brother, Ken "Little Brother" Kiser and wife, Nita of Gastonia, NC and Oak Island, NC. He was Jimmy to his nephew, Ronnie Herms, wife, Dina, and his sons, Andy "Andybob" and Wesley "Wesman" Herms of Gastonia, NC. He was JJ to his niece Lara "Lou" Arnold, husband, Mike Arnold and her sons, Michael "Michaelman" and William "Willy T" Arnold of Mt. Pleasant, SC. His father, William Kenneth Kiser, Sr. "Pop" and his dear nephew and friend Jason "Jaybird" Lee Kiser preceded Jimmy in death.
A private service will be held in Ocean Isle Beach.
Memorials can be sent to Hospice of the Piedmont, 2200 Old Ivy Road, Suite 2, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-4819 or DAV Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.