We are so glad that Don has a beautiful memorial space built on his favorite mountaintop at Blue  Ridge Assembly. It was dedicated this summer during the annual High School Values Conference. 

My wife and I served on the staff of the Hi-Y, Tri-Hi-Y conference for many years back in the 1970’s and 80’s.  I was on the staff of the Winter Park (FL) YMCA and Nancy was the Tri-Hi-Y sponsor at Winter Park High School.  During those years, Don was also very active and one of the leaders in the summer conference.  We got to know him well during that time and observed how much he was loved, by adults and students alike.
I left the YMCA work after that and our lives went in different directions, although we often mentioned Don in our conversations and would share a laugh at something “wild and crazy” he had done.
We received this week a flyer about Don being inducted into the Blue Ridge Hall of Fame.  When we contacted the leaders of Blue Ridge and the Hall of Fame committee to find out how to get him our congratulations, we were informed of Don’s passing in 2018.  Since we had been away from the contacts we enjoyed during those years at Blue Ridge, we had not known of Don’s illness and death.  Although the sadness of learning this news was great, we still shared a laugh recounting some of the memories of Don’s side-splitting humor.
He was a hero to so many young people over the years, and Nancy and I regret that our paths didn’t continue to run the same course over the ensuing years.  We would like to express our regrets and (belated) sympathy.
Mike and Nancy Galyean
Winter Park, FL


One of the most important teachers of sense and sensibility I have ever known to look at things at face value and realize it's potential and become absorbed with those less fortunate thank you Mr Kyzer for your grace and mentoring wise men such as you are highly prized in life God's  hand is on your shoulder.  Randy Koran c/o 76




For the Kyzer family:  I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Donald.   I heard from another THS classmate when I recommend he be invited to our 50th reunion this summer as he had served as our asst band director in 67-68 under Jimmy Jones. I believe Don was a classmate of my brother Ray who passed way too early in 1967.   As was mentioned earlier in a post by my former sister-in-law Christy, your mom and mine were very close friends and I remember seeing Don last when I took my mom to visit her shortly before Mrs Kyzer died.  My mother cherished the relationship our family has had with yours through the years and I have always appreciated your helping with the post funeral food arrangements at Ridgecrest church when my mom died in 2009.  I see by all the other posts how much of an impact Donald had on so many people he touched in his life. What a legacy!   I know this post comes a bit late but our prayers remain with your family.  Mark

I was in the band at Choctawhatchee High School when Mr Kyzer and Jimmy Ray Jones came to Ft Walton Beach. They brought a new style and new adventures to the Style Marchers that can still be seen today. I also had Mr Kyzer as my Political Science teacher.  I am saddened to hear of his passing. 
He was a gentleman and an advocate for his students. 

Donald and Ronald were in school with me all through the 12 years of public school.  His mother was a good friend of Caddie Ballard, my first mother in love.  We were in band together in high school.  He was always a nice guy.  Although we were not close friends, I'm not at all surprised to read of his many achievement in life.  Prayers go out to the family.   

So sorry to hear this. I didn’t know Don well, but would see him years ago when he and his mother would come to Moundville, to eat at Miss Melissa’s cafe. His mother had been a teacher for my parents.  And they dearly loved her. Please accept my condolences for your loss. 
Sincerely, Rita Lewis Holifield

I knew  Don for over 35 years and saw him at his best .. He did so much for so many by teaching, by presentation, by organizing, by writing , by training , by just being Don...servant leader extraordinary!He was the personification of “world class” . When his savior said, “ come and follow me” ,he did so, in life and death! A life well lived in service to others and his Lord!

A wonderful, tall, handsome man with a gentle, intelligent soul.  He spirit has lived within our family since I was a child and we shared many meaningful and gracious memories of our loved ones.  He departed much too soon and I will miss him.  May he rest in the loving comfort of our Father and all of our family who are, now, embracing him on the other side.

I don’t know where to start...maybe a list...he was my educator, my youth minister, my leader, my co-conspirator, my example..an inspiration, a model, a spiritual guide...although I did not fully appreciate it at the time, he was one of the best friends I’ve ever known. 

He woke me up to the world of democracy and law...he planted God seeds in my spirit and tended my image of a loving, servant Christ. 

I know that I was not in some exclusive, special kind of relationship with him. He simply made all of us who came into his orbit for a while feel this way. 

We are teachers, leaders, lawyers, ministers, and volunteers because he led us here..pointed the way with such goofy humor and intentional powerful encouragement. 

He invested his whole life, his whole self, in us. He told us of the potential he saw in us. 

I thank God for Donald Gene Kyzer and I’m sorry I did not tell him that more often.  I look forward to a rousing chorus of little bunny foo foo in heaven with him. 

If he helped you, find someone to serve and mentor...he’d like that. 

Mr.  Kyzer taught all of us to treat everyone with respect. He made all of us believe we could achieve anything . So many fond memories from my days at Choctaw are centered around him. Our times in Leadership class, fall/ spring retreats at Camp Timpoochee, Y Clubs, and Blue Ridge were times well spent. I will always carry a part of him in my heart. He helped me see what was always there. I won’t say goodbye because I know I will see you again one day. 

Don touched the lives of my sister, Cheryl, and I as high school students at Choctaw in the late 70’s and early 80’s. His infectious enthusiasm for Hi-Y/Tri Hi-Y helped convince us to join in and participate in incredible programs like Youth Legislature and Blue Ridge Assembly where we made lifelong friends. Don had an awesome and wonderful impact on thousands of young people and the world is an immeasurably better place for it. We are certainly better for having known him.

A few people come into your life for a short time and their positive impact on you remains for the rest of your life... Don Kyzer was one such man... I know that “Mr Kyzer” will still be helping souls on his next adventure.

Don had a way of saying things that made me think, and he planted thought seeds all the time.  It was his "leading from the back" as it was said, that developed leaders. His way of deliberately seeing the good in people, and wanting to show that good back to that person, is how he has inspired me.  A couple of years ago, I wanted to send him a "thank you" note because some of the thought seeds had sprouted, and I kept meaning to do that.  The message that has been sent to me is never wait to thank anyone, because you might not get to do it sooner than you think.  Yet another thought seed he has planted.

On behalf of the members of the Choctawhatchee High School (Ft. Walton Beach, FL) Hall of Fame, of which Don was inducted in 2016, we want to thank him for always remembering his years as a member of the faculty here.  We are so glad that we got to see him when he was here for his induction. He has left an indelible mark on our school and on all who were fortunate to know him. 
  Through the Hall of Fame he will be a part of our school forever, just like he is a part of us in our hearts and memories forever.
   We are so thankful you were a Big Green Indian! We will miss you!

My friend, Big Don was larger than life. He embodied a spirit that would radiate and attract people of all ages, especially young folks on the mountain. He was a special human being who the Lord chose to represent him on Earth and to spread the words of love, forgiveness, happiness, and salvation to his flock. We on earth remember his impact, those in heaven are celebrating his arrival with some good old mountain music. RIP big brother.

I met Don in 1981 through the YMCA Youth & Government program in Florida.  I could fill a book with contributions Don made to my life and thousands of others.  And then there is the multitude of stories, always ending in laughter.  I will focus on two things.  #1: Don was the best at developing youth leaders.  He always did it in the "back of the room" - putting young people in charge to make the decisions and lead the program.  Don developed their leadership by asking questions, exploring options, and discussing possible consequences.  Leaders guided by Don's influence are shaping families, companies, communities, and organizations with the values they learned from him.  #2: Don was a GREAT friend.  After years of being with him at Blue Ridge conferences, New Orleans planning meetings, and retreats on Florida beaches,  I hired him at the YMCA of the USA and we were neighbors.  We went to church together and made "homesick runs" to a Cracker Barrel an hour south of Chicago.    And we had a friendship tribe of Don, Andy Sullivan, Bill Barringer, and me.  There is no way I can adequately describe that bond or relationship.  I'll just say it was authentic, dependable, joyous, and spiritual.   Meals with this group were always extreme in the amount of grease, quantity of food, server tips, and topics of conversation.  Bill, Andy, and I made it to Don's bedside as soon as we heard he was in intensive care.  He couldn't talk, but as soon as we were all in the room he took a pad and wrote "snow cones."  I can't explain it all - but essentially that has been our life-plan for years:  owning and operating a snow cone stand on a beach.  Don touched his chest right over his heart and touched each of us on our chest.  He gave us a thumbs up.  It was a good day - but unfortunately his last.  Don Kyzer's life made a significant impact on this world, and on my life.

He was an awesome teacher and leader. He never hesitated to show his compassion and his love for what he did....too soon.

Don and I were colleagues and friends for more than ten years while we both worked at the YMCA of the USA. I have so many Don stories/memories, it's hard to know where to begin.   I remember fondly our conversations, over coffee and tea, as we both settled into the workday, our trips home on the Burlington Northern after a social event or late work night in the city, our Saturday morning tennis matches, lunches at his favorite restaurants Wishbone or Redfish, holiday bar tours (another round and "double dog dare you"), Y events like Program Schools and Program Institutes and the list goes on.  He was a great friend but a truly remarkable human being.  These are just a few of the words I'd use to describe Don:  warm and welcoming, humble, compassionate, authentic, kind and genuine, with the utmost integrity, sense of humor, story-telling ability and love of politics and all things White House.  Don was a guest in my home for many dinner parties and New Year's day brunches.  Those who attended will always remember Don's fear of getting burned as I poured tea and Don's profession that the New Year's day movie pick could be a chick flick one year (e.g., While you Were Sleeping) as long as in the next year movie  something had to blow up (anything James Bond).  He made me laugh, he entertained me, he challenged my political thinking, he helped me figure out work strategies and he was always a good listener.  I'm sorry we lost touch when we left Y USA.  Rest in peace my good friend Don.  

Don, you’ve passed from this world to the next leaving a tremendous earthly legacy to your family, friends, church, YMCA and greater community.  You impacted so many over your years as a teacher, mentor, coach, YMCA professional, and lay minister.  You  set high expectations for those you worked with and mentored and you were never disappointed by what they accomplished.  You rubbed shoulders with Presidents, Senators, Congress Members, Cabinet Officials and Supreme Court Justices and introduced them to some of the most talented young people from around the country through the YMCA Youth Governor’s Conference in Washington DC.  You were responsible for the rollout of the YMCA’s Character Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility that are now recognized and used around the world.  You modeled those character values everyday of your life.  I’m so grateful for your servant leadership, humility, humbleness, and true charity.   We will miss your smile, quick wit, great sense of humor and intellect.   You did exactly what you always encouraged each of us to do - you left things better than you found them.  Safe journey, until we meet again!

Such a kind and decent human being. Most fitting of one of his favorite phrases, "World Class." 

I met him for the first time in 1996, when I had the honor of attending the YMCA Youth Governor's Conference in DC. Don was physically imposing - but gentle and warm as a lamb. He had the special gift of making you feel as though you were the only one in the room. 

The first full day of the Conference, Don took us to Arlington National Cemetery. We sat near to the final resting places of Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country. There, Don led a powerful discussion about servant leadership. I cherish so many memories from Youth in Government over the years - but that one may stand above all others. 

Of course, Don Kyzer really didn't need to talk about about servant leadership - he was the quintessential model of a servant leader. I and so many others are better people and better citizens because we knew him, learned from him, and were inspired by him.


Don loved telling stories of past adventures. One story in particular was when he had to care for Andy Sullivan’s pet potbelly pig and he dropped detergent into the food on accident. I have never laughed so hard with his description of the pig ‘having suds leave his nose’. Ahhh!!  Also Don loved to study the White House and Presidential history. One YMCA Youth Governors Conference he and Andy were ‘missing’ for a short time while I watched students taking pics in the Oval Office. Suddenly here they come running into the Oval Office from the Rose Garden. They were giggling like 2 middle schoolers. Their story was they were sitting in the garden furniture and the lounge chair gave way and dumped Don on the ground. They were sure they broke it!  HA!  I am sure Secret Service had a good laugh too. Gosh I miss the man so much. Such a role model. 

My favorite memory of Don was when he and I and two other Y folks got stuck in a freight elevator in Atlanta.  (Don said it was a shortcut to the parking deck).  After awhile of no one answering our pounding, Don started singing camp songs. We all joined in until a janitor arrived to rescue us. The janitor said he kept looking for who was singing so badly!
I loved being around Don and Bill Barringer - they taught me so much while keeping me laughing!  My thoughts and prayers to all of Don's family and friends ❤️❤️❤️

Don was a creative and fun loving man who devoted his life to helping grow teens into men and women with values and purpose. I first met Don on the mountain at Blue Ridge. We crossed paths and I followed in some of his footsteps over the years. Much respect and love was given this man by many who knew him. We all learned from him and became better because of his love for us and his calling. Rest in peace my friend.

Always kept me laughing, always a kind word to share, a great Y mentor & football rival- a special man.

Forged a friendship on the mountain. Need I say more?

Break up in groups of three and reflect for a little while.  

Don G. Kyzar was a dear friend to me, my family and friends.  When he was not traveling with the Stylemarchers; he often traveled with  the Choctaw Cheerleaders and me To basketball games, tournaments and other school events.  He was a beloved teacher, mentor, leader, Christian and friend.  He will long be remember by his students ,  colleagues, administrators and friends of our community, state and beyond.  May he Rest In Peace.  Love ❤️ forever and always.

I have fond memories of my work with Don at the YMCA of the USA.  I especially remember his sense of humor.  I am very sorry to hear of his passing.

I am so lucky to have had Don as part of my life.  I feel like terms like mentor, servant leader just seem too ordinary to someone who had such an impact on so many. I’m sure he couldn’t know how many kids he had such a positive influence on. 

I thank my God every time I remember you.
-Philippians 1:3

Yep, Don Kyzer left a huge impression on me.  His enthusiasm was contagious.  We should all be so lucky to have such a positive influence on our lives during high school just before we launch.

Don had such a positive influence in young people’s lives. He didn’t see the negative in them but opportunities to teach love through servant leadership. 

We all have our great Don stories and they will live on forever. Rest well old friend!

He was a great teacher and made government a fun class of you can believe that.  His sense of humor made him one of the best teachers I ever had.  I wish everyone could have experienced his energy for his students! Thank you Mr. Kyzer!!!

Don was such a funny, loving, caring person. His love of young people and adults shown brightly at Blue Ridge. His positive influence lives on in the lives of his students and others he encountered, especially on the Mountain.

Thank you so much for the mentoring and care that you gave to so many high school students through the years. Blue Ridge was truly life-altering in the best possible way.  Heartfelt gratitude to a life well lived.

Mr. Kyzer was the finest teacher, leader and mentor.  He was guided by those Christ-like principles he cherished and lived by to encourage young people to adopt those principles in their own lives and to develop attitudes and skills that would enable them to become adults who contributed the very best they had to offer throughout life.  Those of us who were blessed to have been taught, led and mentored by Don Kyzer have a debt to pay to give back some of what he left with us.  Don Kyzer will be sorely missed this side of heaven by all who knew, admired and loved him.  We all know this world is a better place for his life so well lived and we can honor Don Kyzer by working to reach young people and all people for Christ in much the same way.  I thank you, Father, for the fine and exceptional life of Don Kyzer. 

Don was a fantastic individual.  He played a large role in some of the programs I was a part of in High School through the YMCA .  I am now a YMCA staff member working with those same programs.  I have a deep respect for him and his work.  He was always focused on serving teenagers where they were.  

In his life he effected the lives of many, many people and gave them the tools to multiply what they had been given.  

I know that this morning he was welcomed with open arms and told "Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!"

May God comfort you as only He can.  

Visitation

Celebration of Life Service

Survivors include his sisters, Ethelyn K. Stuhr of Tuscaloosa and Susan K. White (Joe) of Ball Ground, Ga.; twin brother, Ronald Dene Kyzer (Nancy) of Tellico Plains, Tenn.; four nieces, three nephews, and a large extended family.

OBITUARY

Donald (Don) Gene Kyzer

June 26, 1945 – November 30, 2018

Heritage Chapel Funeral Home

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