AT ATTENTION: Sgt. Timothy Kiser’s wife, Rhonda, far right, friend Jeff Skelton of Rocklin, stepdaughter Danyelle Thompson and her boyfriend, Chris Morris, watch as Kiser’s casket is taken Monday for graveside services at Cottonwood District Cemetery. Kiser was killed April 28 in Iraq.
LAST RESPECTS: Spc. Mike Tyler of the National Guard in Red Bluff places a medal on the casket of Sgt. Kiser after graveside services Monday.
WITH HONORS: Rhonda Kiser receives a medal from Maj. Gen. Thomas Eres, commander of the California National Guard, on behalf of her husband, Sgt. Timothy Kiser. Kiser’s mother, Jacquie Dunn, left, and brother, James, far right, look on during graveside services Monday.
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Final salute Fallen GI loved his family, God and his country By Christina Lucarotti, Record Searchlight, May 10, 2005 A Redding soldier's devotion to his family, God and nation was celebrated Monday as mourners said goodbye to fallen U.S. Army Sgt. Timothy Craig Kiser. The 37-year-old husband and father was killed April 28 in Iraq after a bomb hit his Humvee. More than 200 people packed the Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel in Palo Cedro for the 1 p.m. service. Dozens of flowers surrounded the flag-covered coffin. An array of photographs showed a jovial Kiser with his family and with fellow soldiers. "It is difficult at this time to recognize the supreme sacrifice he made," said Maj. Gen. Thomas Eres, commander of the California National Guard. "Duty, honor, country. That is and was Sgt. Kiser." Kiser had been promoted to sergeant the day before his death. He had been stationed in Iraq since Jan. 1 after enlisting in the Army National Guard in August. He was a truck driver while living in Redding. Kiser previously served three years in the Army, starting at age 18, and decided to return to service with the goal of becoming a medic, his family said. During burial services at Cottonwood District Cemetery, Kiser was honored with a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and California Memorial Medal. His wife, Rhonda, 37, said she had told her husband a few weeks before his death that she was ready for him to come home. "If nothing else, I know he loved me beyond what made any sense," Rhonda said. "Not everyone has that." Kiser left behind two sons, Austin, 14, and Jordan, 13, both of Mount Shasta; and two stepchildren, Kyle Thompson, 18, and Danyelle Thompson, 19, both of Redding. Army Spc. Melissa Ables, 29, of Red Bluff sobbed as she spoke of Kiser, who she said was like the older brother she had never had. "He was a damn good soldier, though there were times he told me he was scared to death," Ables said during her eulogy. Ables said Kiser was able to hold on to his cheerful disposition even under the hardships of war. "He touched your heart from the moment you met him," she said. Kiser's longtime friend, Jeff Skelton, described him as the ultimate optimist. "He just enjoyed life. He enjoyed every moment he had with friends and family. He didn't take anything for granted," said Skelton, 36, of Rocklin. The Rev. John Roland, pastor at First Baptist Church of Cottonwood, recalled Kiser's dedication to his family. Roland said that during parenting classes at the church, Kiser would always ask the most questions, enthusiastic about becoming a better father. When he fell short of perfection, he would share his disappointment with the pastor, Roland said. "He was frustrated with his humanness. Tim had expectations for himself higher than what was realistic," Roland said Kiser would want others to devote themselves to their families and a relationship with God. "He was an ordinary, devoted American human being, and he wore his uniform proudly," Roland said. |