KAILUA-KONA — Longtime Kailua-Kona resident and founder of Kiser Motorcycles, Garcie Kiser, died Jan. 15 in Washington. Born and raised in Pound, Virginia, the 89-year-old World War II veteran who served in the Navy was well known in the Kona community.
Friends and family of his said Kiser touched the lives of those around him with his kindness and generosity.
“He was a gentle soul,” said his son, Kris Kiser. “Within a minute of meeting him, you knew you liked him. Every minute after that, you liked him more. He made you feel at ease no matter who you were.”
Gracie Kiser met his Canadian-born wife, Evelyn Jean Pearce, while serving as an officer with the Michigan State Police. They moved to Kona in 1978 and opened Kiser Motorcycles in 1979. Over the years, he owned multiple motorcycle dealerships in California, Washington, and on Maui and Hawaii Island.
“He didn’t care if you came into the shop to buy a bike or just stop by to talk story,” said his son. “He had time for everybody. Employees enjoyed his honest, gentle and easy approach. Before, during, or after work he was never too busy to help a customer. It wasn’t unusual to see him talking to customers while having a grandchild hugging on him. He loved kids.”
Kiser worked in the shop until about a year ago, and according to his friends, his work wasn’t about the money, but about the people. Today, his son, Kris, and his wife, Kym, run the business.
“His greatest business advice for us was to never make it about the money, but about the people.” said Kym Kiser. “We will always make it about the people because of what Garcie has instilled in us. He was an amazing man. He was loved by all that knew him.”
Others in the Kona community remember Kiser as a fitness instructor at the Kona Community Aquatic Center. Retired educator and Kona resident Ralph Lewis started going the pool in 2011 to take the adult exercise class.
“Garcie was the leader of that class for almost 20 years,” said Lewis. He was probably 85 when I started the class. He was a lovely gentleman. He retired at about 88 years old and I took over the class for him. He was such a great guy. Those of us who were in that group really loved him and his wife Jean. He had that quiet, honorable leadership quality that we could all look up to. It’s standing on his legacy that we keep that class going.”
His friends and family agree, he not only took pride in his business, but truly appreciated the friends he made during his lifetime. He was known for being a kind, humble, good-hearted man, and a valued member of the Kona community.
Garcie is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean Kiser; his sons, Kevin, Kerry, and Kris Kiser; his daughter, D. Marie Kiser Smith; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sisters Gaye West and Eloise Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his son Kermit Kiser just three months ago. His family will announce a celebration of life service in the coming weeks.