WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — Anthony “Tony” Kiser, 79, Wheat Ridge, Colo., formerly of Randolph, passed away on Nov. 14, 2024, from complications of a neurological disease. Monarch Society is in charge of arrangements. A committal service will be held at a later date at the St. Frances Cemetery, Randolph.

Tony was born in 1945 in Miami, Fla., to Francis and Bernice Kiser. His father received a Navy transfer to the area of Randolph, his father’s hometown, where Tony attended St. Jane Frances de Chantal School, completing his senior year at Randolph High School. Tony moved to Denver, Colo., after attending college in Norfolk, on a basketball scholarship.

Growing up in rural Nebraska, Tony developed a passion for outdoor activities, including fishing and pheasant hunting with companions. Moving to Denver gave Tony the opportunity to expand his outdoor interests in the Rocky Mountains, always looking for that new place to fish, motorcycle, hike and camp. In his 60s, he could still bicycle to the top of Lookout Mountain in Golden and played pickup basketball at a recreation center. Tony’s hobbies were not without their challenges. He contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado’s first documented case that summer. He also had acquired a pilot’s license, flying light aircraft for several years. During a flight with his sister, Fran, to Norfolk, they encountered a snowstorm at Haxtun, Colo., requiring an emergency landing. Fortunately, they could see the lights of a private airstrip and Tony was able to land the plane safely.

Tony’s professional life spanned almost 60 years. He learned to operate the offset printing press with skill and became a valuable employee in teaching others this trade. In the second half of his work-life, he acted as a warehouse shipping coordinator, employment he tenaciously stayed with, even as his neurological disease progressively limited his movements.

He always owned an old van to get him around and camp in, maintaining a 1987 Toyota van until the end. He loved kids, his nieces cherishing memories from their childhood of time spent with Uncle Tony, especially his love of taking them out to eat, in an old van of course. Tony will be particularly remembered for how he led with kindness, his unwavering practice of his Catholic faith and playful manner, always accompanied by his trademark grin.

He is survived by five siblings, Sally Kiser, Denver, Colo.; Joe Kiser (partner, Kim Bates), Plainview; Susan Sullivan (spouse, Sherif Said), Denver, Colo.; Rob Kiser (spouse, Mary), Duncan, Okla.; and Jenny Kiser, Hayden, Colo.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Fran Kiser Cochrane; brother, Pete Kiser; nephew, Matt Cochrane; and great-niece, Saskia Cochrane.

Tributes may be made to the family at monarchsociety.com.