John Fielding Kizer Jr. passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Denton, Texas.  He was born in Gutherie, OK, November 2, 1940 to John Fielding Kizer and Agnes Nave Kizer.  He joined the Army in 1958 which brought him to Denton where he met the love of his life, Deloris Hodnett, and they wed on August 25, 1962. He served as a Radar Technician, Spec. 4th Class, in the Army at the underground Nike Missile site in Denton for four years followed by a tour with the Army National Guard at the same site. His crew was on high alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  He was very proud of serving his country and never tired of sharing his experiences.  He retired from the Fire Department in 1996 after being employed at the University Park Fire Department, Dallas, TX, then the Denton Fire Department as an EMT.  He could be heard telling children "the policeman is your friend but the fireman is your best friend".  He was extremely proud of his Cherokee heritage and felt honored to be chosen as a Deacon to serve in that capacity at Gateway United Baptist Church.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren, especially taking them out to eat for breakfast.  He "indoctrinated" his children and grandchildren with the love of the OU Sooners and enjoyed watching the football games with them.  The quarterly breakfast meetings with his longtime Army Buddies was a time that he cherished.
He is survived by his wife, Deloris, a daughter Tammy Abercrombie (husband, Donny), a son John F. Kizer III and a son Daniel Shane Kizer (wife, Wendy) all of Denton.  He has nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sisters Jackie West, Poteau, OK, and May Knight, Okla. City and a brother, Tommy Kizer (wife, Sue), Noble, OK, a brother, Steve Paul (wife Shirley) Dallas, TX and a brother, Bill David Paul (wife, Glenda) Oklahoma.  He was preceded in Death by his parents, his stepmother, Parnell Paul Collins, his brother Billy and sisters, Joann Brand, Mickey Tucker and Kay Studard.
Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday, Sept. 6 at Gateway United Baptist Church, 2401 N. Bell Avenue, Denton . Funeral Service will be Friday, Sept. 7 at 10:00 AM at the church. Interment will be at 10:30 AM Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX. Officiating will be Rev. Chris Walden and Rev. Buddy Owens.