Thomas Howard Kyzar

Thomas H. “Tommy” Kyzar, a loving family man, mechanical engineer and owner of the Kyzar’s Helping Hands handyman service, died unexpectedly at his home in Decatur, Georgia, Aug. 21.

Kyzar was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on Feb. 11, 1953, grew up there, and received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Mississippi State. His career as a federal government civilian employee with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and continued with an interesting and rewarding job at Headquarters U.S. Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany. That position expanded to business trips to the Balkan Peninsula, where he participated in peace-keeping missions designed to help countries with environmental programs.

Kyzar returned to the United States in 1999, working first as a mechanical engineer in Alabama at the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center Huntsville. He later worked at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, as both a mechanical and environmental engineer, and the South Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Kyzar retired in 2008 and was presented with the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service from the U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, among other accolades.

In retirement, Kyzar was a beloved and extraordinarily active “Poppi” to his grandchildren. And in 2009, he started his own handyman business—Kyzar’s Helping Hands—to help friends and neighbors grappling with the smaller jobs that service companies typically don’t handle.

“He loved being there for people,” said his daughter Danielle Hook, of Louisville, Kentucky.

“I think that made him feel good,” added his son, Jake Kyzar, of Madison, Mississippi. “He just liked to help.”

Kyzar was also an avid volleyball fan and regular player before being sidelined by serious heart problems a few years ago. In 2021, those health problems led him to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He was approved for the heart transplant list, and received his new heart just six months ago, on Feb. 11, 2022—his 69th birthday. After recovering, Kyzar returned to working his business and taking care of others, which included stopping by to check on friends living alone, or pulling his truck over in the neighborhood when he spotted someone walking, just to say hello.

“He didn't race through life,” said an appreciative neighbor. “He genuinely took time for others.

“His heart was in it.”

Tommy Kyzar is survived by: Janis Burgess, the love of his life. Others are his children and grandchildren: Jake Kyzar (Kelly) and their children Noah and Weslee Kate, of Madison, Miss.; Danielle Hook (Bobby) and children, Alexandra, Jeffery, and Shi'la, of Louisville, Ky.; Doug Howard of Gardiner, Mont.; Jennifer Shulstad (Andy) and daughter, Audrey, of Charlotte, N.C.; as well as Brooke Bowdler (Cal) and children, Rachel-Kate, Siena, Lily and James, of Atlanta. Kyzar is also survived by his siblings, Linda Bograd, Nancy Staton, and Lowrey Kyzar, of Mississippi.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Those wishing to make a donation in Kyzar’s memory may contribute to the Education and Research Heart Fund at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, P.O. Box 290369, 525 Royal Parkway, Nashville, TN, 37229. Contact: [email protected], or call 615-936-0230.