Les J. Kizer

Les J. Kizer, born September 14, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, entered his heavenly home on August 2, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, at 96.

His homegoing was preceded by that of his beloved wife of 60 years, Ruth Kennedy Kizer, along with many dear family members and friends. He is survived by his sister, Frances Belle Olson of Lincoln, Nebraska; his daughters, Carol Kizer Schroder (Sebastian) of Bluffton, South Carolina, and Lee Ellen Kizer Duran (Stephen) of Tampa, Florida; and his cherished grandchildren, Rebecca of Seattle, Washington, and Joshua of Tampa, Florida.

Les married Ruth Kennedy in Amarillo, Texas, in 1953, beginning a lifelong partnership marked by devotion, adventure, and service. Together they raised their daughters, traveled widely, served Christ and His kingdom, and earned—by unanimous acclaim—the title of “the best darn grandparents ever.” Ruth’s passing in 2013 left a legacy of love that Les carried faithfully for the rest of his life.

A lifelong learner, he attended the DeForest Technical Institute (now DeVry) in Chicago, Amarillo Junior College in Texas, the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York City.

Les proudly served his country in the Air Force for four years as an aircraft mechanic and instructor, training NATO, German, Yugoslavian, and Japanese jet aircraft mechanics.

After completing his military service, Les began a distinguished 34-year career with IBM, retiring in 1986 in Poughkeepsie, New York, as an Advisory Programmer for the System Leadership Office. Over the years, he and Ruth moved 19 times—each move marking his progression through engineering, technical writing, marketing, and programming. Les delighted in working with IBM’s “toys” and took great joy in contributing to the technological innovations he helped develop and implement.

He was the first president of the 800-member Mid-Hudson Computer User Group, guiding its separation from the Poughkeepsie IBM Club. He also served as chairman of the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Society of Technical Communications and secretary of the Mid-Hudson Engineering Society.

Les accepted Christ as his personal Savior in his early twenties. At 35, facing a fatal and untreatable stomach ulcer, he promised God that if granted the years to see his daughters grow into adulthood, he would devote his life to serving Him first. he kept that promise every day of his long life. Eleven years later, his physician—by then a close friend—could find no trace of the ulcer and remarked, “It’s Jesus, Les, isn’t it?”

Les served as lay leader of the Van Cortlandville Community Church in Peekskill, New York. He led a Christian lay ministry that expanded to five New York State prisons; his primary focus until it’s closure was the Mattewan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. For this he received a State of New York Award of Appreciation from Commissioner of Corrections Benjamin Ward. Les also served for many years with the Mid-Hudson River Tres Dias organization, contributing program materials, organizing retreats, and eventually serving on the national committee supporting the Episcopal Cursillo movement.

An avid bicyclist, he served as longtime secretary and ride leader for the Mid-Hudson Bicycle Club. He served on two NY DOT committees and was a member of the League of American Bicyclists and the New York State Bicycle Coalition.

After relocating to Tampa, Florida, in 1997, he continued his life of service—volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries, assisting with the 1998 Billy Graham Crusade, teaching computer courses through USF OLLI, and actively participating in the Land O’ Lakes AARP chapter.

Les will be remembered for his steadfast faith, inventive mind, generous spirit, devotion to family, and his joy in encouraging and discipling others in their walk with Christ. His life was marked by curiosity, humor, gratitude, and unwavering trust in God’s grace.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Les’ life on August 21, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Tampa Covenant Church, 3320 Lake Magdalene Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33618. A light reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Metropolitan Ministries, 2002 N. Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602.