FAIRBORN — Gladys (Gay) J. Kizziar, faithful wife, beloved mother, caring sister, devoted nurse and proud veteran passed peacefully at age 91 on April 30, 2015. Gay was born on September 30, 1923 in Uhrichsville, Ohio. After graduating from the New Philadelphia, Ohio high school in 1942 and the Akron Hospital School of Nursing in 1944, she served in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant and registered nurse. Gay was stationed in the South Pacific during WWII and provided nursing care to soldiers wounded in the battle for the liberation the Philippine Islands. Between the cessation of hostilities in August 1945 and the formal Japanese surrender, her medical unit went ashore in Japan to repatriate U.S. and Allied prisoners of war. After serving several years with U.S. occupation forces in Japan, Gay transferred to the 98th General Hospital in Munich, Germany. During her service in Germany, she met and married fighter pilot Lt. James H. Kizziar in 1949. He continued a military flying career until 1965. While supporting her husband's U.S. Air Force career, Gay moved frequently, living throughout the United States and overseas. Gay continued her nursing career in many locations until 1974. After retiring in Fairborn, Ohio, Gay and her husband relocated to San Antonio, Texas in 1983 to be near their son, attorney James H. Kizziar, Jr., and his wife, Renee' F. Kizziar, CPA. Gay's 32 years in San Antonio were the longest period of her life in any location. Gay was preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years, James H. Kizziar. She is survived by her sisters, Helen Alexander of Canton, Ohio and Teresa Hollingsworth of New Philadelphia, Ohio; her half-sister, Vera Meyers, of New Philadelphia, Ohio; her son and daughter-in-law of San Antonio, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gay will be laid to rest beside her husband at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. On Thursday, May 14, a memorial service celebrating her life will be held in the Garden Chapel at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E Basse Rd., San Antonio, Texas at 3:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the at www.heart.org. As a nurse, wife, mother, sister and friend, Gay's determination, loyalty and thoughtfulness were an example to all. She was loved by many in this life and will be missed by all she touched.
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