Gerald Lee Hizey

Gerald "Gerry" "Buck" Hizey passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at the age of 81. He was with his wife and family at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Gerald was born January 4, 1939 in Galesburg, Kansas, the son of Ralph and Pearl (Collins) Hizey. He was raised on a farm and attended school in Galesburg where he graduated high school in 1955. He loved playing sports, especially basketball and fishing from a young age. Gerald was married to Shirley Joan Johns on April 9, 1955.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Shirley Hizey; children Gerald “Dean” Hizey and wife Dianis, Regina Eileen Mannell and husband Mark, and Michael David Hizey; grandchildren Jennifer Kennedy and husband Christopher, Katie Reily, Christopher Mannell and wife Trisha, Joshua Mannell and wife Stephanie, Connor Mannell, Jessica Chiles Hizey, Ashley Bailey and husband Blaine, and Kylie Hizey; seven great grandchildren Austin Chiles, Sydney Mannell, Riley Chiles, Elaina Reily, Duncan Mannell, Lydia Kennedy, and Lincoln Chiles, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Ralph Hizey Jr. and Vera Ann White.

He worked for Beech Aircraft in Wichita until 1958 when he moved his family to Topeka, Kansas where he went to work for the DuPont Company at the age of 19. Gerald joined the Masons, the Scottish Rites, and the Shrine Temple while he lived in Topeka for 25 years. He also attended night school at Washburn University, working towards a degree in accounting, and only needed a few hours to graduate. In 1983 he transferred to the medical field with DuPont and moved to Dallas, Texas, then on to San Antonio, Texas in 1986 where he and Shirley lived for thirty-four years. After retiring in 1993, Gerald enjoyed working on the Hizey family tree. He also loved traveling via RV to Arizona and around the country. A favorite pastime was watching old westerns, as well as listening to country music. Mechanically minded from a young age, he loved to tinker and take things apart to put them back together again. In his spare time he loved to get out on the greens to play a round of golf, or go for a drive to spend the weekend at a ranch near lake LBJ with friends. Gerald never met a stranger and was well-known in his neighborhood as being that friendly guy who would help anyone or do any task. He also loved taking care of and spending time with his little Westie dog, Sadie.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held later this fall in Texas, with a graveside memorial in Galesburg, Kansas next spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, in the memory of Gerald Hizey.