Jonas Kisber, Jr.Jackson, TNJonas Kisber, Jr., 86, a lifelong Jacksonian, passed away on November 2, 2016, surrounded by family at his home in Jackson.The son of the late Jonas Kisber, Sr. and Gertrude Kisber, Jonas Kisber, Jr. was born on April 8, 1930. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1948 and attended Tulane University and Babson College. He was a veteran of the
Korean War serving as a lieutenant in the US Army. After his military service, he joined Kisber's Department Stores, Inc., which was founded in 1905 by his grandfather Louis Kisber. He became President of the Company in 1974 and represented Kisber's in national and state organizations, including a term as President of the Tennessee Retail Merchants Association. Kisber had a distinguished career in business and public service. Governor Don Sundquist appointed Kisber to succeed his late wife as a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, and Governor Phil Bredesen reappointed him. Jane and Jonas Kisber represented the 8th Congressional District on the Tennessee Board of Regents from 1987 to 2014. Kisber also served on the Jackson Area Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, as vice-chairman of the Jackson Madison County Library Foundation, and as a founding director of the Episcopal Day School (subsequently the University School of Jackson). At various times, he served on the Board of Directors of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce and of Congregation B'Nai Israel. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Murray Guard, Inc.Kisber was married for 47 years to the late Jane G. Kisber, and is survived by their three children, Joan Kisber Haskins (Paul) of Chicago, IL; Matthew Kisber (Paige) of Nashville, TN; and Rachel Kisber Obermeier (Hans) of Jackson, MS, and four grandchildren, Thomas and Matthias Obermeier and Harrison and Katherine Kisber. He was preceded in death by his brother Stuart Kisber.The family would like to thank Mr. Kisber's dedicated caregivers, Essie Golden, Charlotte Price, Leonard Rogers, Hospice of West Tennessee and his Baker's Rack Breakfast Club and Morning Coffee Group.The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be directed to the Jane and Jonas Kisber Scholarship Fund at Jackson State Community College Foundation or to the .The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, November 6, 2016, from 2pm to 5 p.m. at George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 7, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Temple B'Nai Israel, 401 West Grand Street, Jackson, TN. Burial will follow in B'Nai Israel Cemetery.George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel, (731) 427-5555.
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