James Giles Kyser, III

Obituary for James Giles Kyser, III MGySgt, USMC, Ret.

Beloved husband, son, father, grandfather and friend, Master Gunnery Sergeant James G. Kyser III, United States Marine Corps, Retired,reported for duty on the streets of heaven on 9 February 2014 after a two and one half month struggle following major heart surgery. He was born in San Francisco, California on October 24, 1933, was a graduate of Napa High School, the University of Maryland, and American University’s graduate program. He married the love of his life, Virginia, in 1957 and spent the next 56 years on an adventure with her, and they were the perfect Marine couple. Enlisting in 1951, his 21-year career saw service around the world both in and out of conflict to include some of the most intense years of the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Marine Band, marched in the first Evening Parade in 1957, and later served as a combat correspondent and public affairs professional receiving accolades throughout his career to include two Freedoms Foundation Awards. After retiring from the Corps in 1973, he had a subsequent career in the advertising and public affairs arena with the petroleum and railroad industries. He served as the President of the Association of Railroad Advertising Managers, as the National President of the Marine Corps Combat Correspondent’s Association, the Association Manager and CALTRAP Editor for the Third Marine Division Association, as a Boy Scout Leader, and most recently served as a docent at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife, Ginny; his daughter, Susan, and her husband Colonel Harry Frank, USMCR (Ret,); his son, Colonel James Giles Kyser IV, USMC (Ret.), and his wife Chris; and three grandchildren, Harry Alan Frank Jr., Elizabeth Lynn Fitzgerald and her husband Scott, and Lauren Rose Kyser. The family will host a viewing at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City, VA 22193 on 17 February from 2-4pm and 6-8pm and there will be a funeral service held at the Quantico Marine Base Chapel on 19 February at 1:00pm followed by interment at the Quantico National Cemetery with military honors at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation at https://www.marineheritage.org/MakeDonation.asp