James Moses Kiser's Obituary
James Moses Kiser (“Jim”) died on March 29, 2026, ending a remarkable journey that began June 3,1932, in Olive Hill, Kentucky, and extended throughout the world. Jim was born to Grace and Finley Kiser and grew up in the Cincinnati area of Ohio with his siblings Robert, Vera and Vivian. Jim graduated from Milford High School in Ohio in 1950 as Salutatorian and Class President and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951. Jim took great pride in his military career, and his high intelligence was recognized by his early assignment to cryptology functions in post-war occupied Germany. Subsequently, as a non-commissioned officer, he served in NATO’s Allied Forces Southern Europe Headquarters - first in Florence and then in Naples, Italy.
Upon completion of Officer Candidate School in 1958, Jim was honored as a Distinguished Graduate and was commissioned into the Regular Air Force at the direction of President Eisenhower. Jim chose to serve in the USAF Medical Service Corps where his career centered on hospital and health services administration and construction. His promotion to the position of Health Facilities Officer reflected his lifelong desire to provide exceptional medical care to active-duty service members, military veterans and their dependents. Jim was awarded the USAF Commendation Medal four times, and, at the direction of the President, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding noncombat meritorious service.
Jim was tenacious and believed strongly in self-determination, self-improvement, and education. He was one of the early participants in the Air Force’s “Operation Bootstrap.” Under this program, he completed three years of college in his off-duty hours. The Air Force gave him temporary duty to enable him to finish the courses for his Baccalaureate degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1966.
Once again demonstrating his determination to pick himself up “by his own bootstraps,” Jim attended university classes in his off-duty hours to obtain a Master of Science degree. Again, the Air Force granted him temporary duty to complete this degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1969. Jim retired from the Air Force in 1971, after achieving the rank of Major.
Post-retirement, Jim continued his career in the civilian sector. He directed health care planning programs, spearheaded project management, and led hospital design and numerous major construction projects of facilities for health care as well as university facilities for the education of health care professions both nationally and internationally. He was employed by Stanford University and the University of California, for example, and was recruited by Gordon A. Friesen International, Inc. to design hospitals around the world, including the teaching hospital for the National University of Singapore School of Medicine.
In the next chapter of his life, Jim obtained a Real Estate Broker’s license. He started his own brokerage and was joined by his wife, Lorie. He was then able to devote his efforts to acquiring and developing residential and commercial properties while Lorie ran the brokerage for over thirty years.
Although his career achievements were both impressive and gratifying, the greatest source of joy and fulfillment in his life was his 46-year marriage to Lorie Kiser (nee Stober). They loved each other deeply, and their life was filled with care, admiration, devotion, appreciation, and affection. They realized all the goals that they valued and shared in their close and happy marriage.
Jim is survived by his wife, Lorie, his four children, Randall, Bruce, Kimberlee and Diana, from his first marriage to Mildred Kiser (nee Guilmette), as well as his grandson, Kasey, and nephew, Michael Webb. He loved his children dearly, and their well-being was always on his mind and in his aspirations and plans.
Throughout his life, Jim was committed to helping veterans, particularly young or disabled veterans, and supported them compassionately and generously.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a Veterans charitable organization of your choice.
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