Daniel Mitchell Kryzak

August 21, 1937 April 9, 2024
On April 9, 2024, DAN KRYZAK, 86, passed away suddenly and silently after suffering from a stroke last month, keeping his sense of humor to the very end.
Dan was the son of the late Mitchell and Effie (Hughes) Kryzak. Also preceding him in death were his son Dan, Jr. (known by friends and family as Little Dan or Danny), brother Raymond Kryzak, niece Sandra Kryzak, father and mother-in-law George and Maxine Canterbury; many aunts and uncles; and his dog Gracie who was waiting for him at the Pearly Gates.
Dan leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years Phyllis (better known as Fidge); daughters Jill (Eric) Ridenour, and Kelly (Todd) Schoolcraft; the loves of his life, grandchildren Courtney (Dylan) Ridenour Nicholas, Sam (Dallis) Schoolcraft, Joel (Stevanna) Ridenour, and Hannah Schoolcraft and her boyfriend Colten Rollyson; and great-grandson Emersen Schoolcraft. Dan also leaves behind his favorite sister-in-law and sparring partner Brenda Walling; nephews Kenny (Ponda) Kryzak, James (Julia) Walling, and Greg Walling; niece Kim (Dave) DeFrehn; and sister-in-law Shirley Kryzak.
Dan was an all-state athlete in football and basketball at Charleston High School, class of 1956, where he minored in academics. His favorite study hall was The Strand on Hale Street. He received numerous football scholarship offers after high school and decided on UNC. However, a stint at Greenbrier Military School, the Marine Reserves, and marriage to Fidge put a stop to his athletic career. (She said the first time she saw Dan was when Charleston High played Clendenin High in basketball, and she remarked that Clendenin would have won the game if not for that sawed-off shrimp.)
Dan worked for his father at M.W. Kryzak and Sons before working at DK's Heating and Air Conditioning Co. He was noted for his work ethic and hated to see idle hands. His girls fondly remember sweeping the street outside their house for lack of anything else he could find for them to do.
Dan enjoyed golfing, first at Meadowbrook Country Club, and then anywhere he and his buddies could get a tee-time. He loved going to WVU games in the 70's and 80's with his buddy Corky Griffith, Cork's family, and all of his friends. He coached his son's Elk District Midget League football team, which consisted of many of the boys who went on to play for his high school buddy Joe Eddie Cowley at Herbert Hoover High School. He never missed his kids' band performances, and he never complained about having to sit on cold wooden bleachers. He enjoyed going out to dinner with his friends, and we're sure Dad is amused that Bob Hunter will now have to be the rooster in the hen house.
He thoroughly enjoyed having his kids' friends over. In his 30's, he was known by his girls' friends as Old Man Kryzak. He entertained them by creating the DK Classic, a 3x3 basketball tournament that drew boys all along the Elk River, and allowing parties that he probably shouldn't have. He had many dogs that he said he didn't want, but they always became his dogs. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone who was shirtless, and he always rooted for the underdog.
The third chapter of his life revolved around his grandkids -- their sports games, their friends, and basically spoiling them beyond reason. There was not a referee or ump who knew what he was doing, or a coach that was worth anything when it came to his grandkids. He didn't miss a home basketball, soccer, football, baseball game, or track and swim meets, and he attended most of their away games/meets as well. He bought a camp in Clay County (for, let's face it, his grandkids) where they brought their friends and spent many a summer day in and on the Elk River fishing, swimming, playing badminton, cornhole and whiffleball, and leaving dirty and tired.
Dan lived a full life, and there won't be a day that someone in Charleston, Elkview, Clendenin, and Mink Shoals isn't thinking about him. His family would like to invite anyone whom he touched to a memorial service at the Coonskin Clubhouse on Sunday, April 21, from 3 - 6 p.m. Bring your stories, and be ready to talk and reminisce.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association -- 1248 Greenbrier St., Charleston, WV 25311, in memory of Dan Kryzak.
The family would like to thank John Thaxton and Hafer Funeral Home, the doctors and nurses at CAMC General, and Complete Care at Oak Ridge Nursing Home for taking care of Dan and his family.