James "JD" Kiser

James Delano “J.D.”Kiser 81 of Ashland, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019 atCommunity HospiceCareCenterin Ashland. J.D. was born January31, 1938 inOliveHill, Kentucky to the lateGeorge Bert and RethaMullins Kiser. He graduated fromOliveHillHigh School in 1956where played basketball and baseball. He helped guide theCometsto back to back16th Region Championships and Sweet Sixteen appearancesin 1955 and 1956. His passion for Cometsports and the game of basketballcontinued forthe rest of hislife. He received an engineering degree fromtheUniversity ofKentucky. Upon graduation heworked as an engineer onmany highway projectssuch asthe I-65 Interstate developmentthroughwestern Ky into TN. Hemet his wife Joyce AnnHartmanwhileworking in TN. Theymarried in 1967 and they remained devoted to each otherfor 50 years until her passing in 2017. In 1971 he returned home to lead the family business as an agentforthe StandardOilCompany, serving severalcounties. In 1978he founded his own company J.DKiser, Inc a fuel distribution company based in Ashland. Through the next 35 years he ran a successfulcompany developing many business and personalrelationshipsthat have lasted a lifetime. JDwas an avid golfer and a fan ofUKsports. Hewas amember of FirstChristian Church and the Ashland Elks Lodge #350 BPOE. He leaves behind hisloving son Scott Kiser and his wifeCher of Ashland; one sister Phyllis Howerton of Louisville; two grandchildren WillKiser of Ft. Benning, GAandMollyKiser of Lexington; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Funeralservices will be 12:00 PMFriday, September 27, 2019at FirstChristian Church (Disciples ofChrist)withDr. Robbie Phillips officiating. Visitationwill be atthe church Thursday, from6-8 and one hour priorto services on Friday. Burialwill be in RoseHillBurial Park. Pallbearers will be WillKiser,JC Williams, ScottHacker, Todd Woodford,John Smith and Philip Hedrick. HonoraryPallbearers will be John Artis, Paul Lewis, Robert Woolery, Bob Craycraft, Richard Capps, Philip Stone, Larry James and inmemoriamof hislifelong friend J.C. Smith.