Donald Paul Mizer died suddenly and peacefully at the age of 58 in his home on Good Friday, 14 April 2006, leaving behind many who loved him dearly. Don was the youngest of four children with two older brothers and one sister. He is most remembered for his love of conversation and his amazing ability to recall events of the past. He loved to talk on the phone, and he would often call old friends out of the blue just to keep in touch. As a result, many often said he was a walking encyclopedia for the EHS Class of '66.
Born in Smith Center, Smith County, Kansas, on Friday, 2 April 1948, he moved with his family at an early age to Ferndale, Humboldt County, California, and lived in Humboldt County the rest of his life. Don graduated from Eureka Senior High School in 1966 and he was a graduate of College of the Redwoods. He was veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and he was very proud of his service to his country.
His family and close friends were the center of his world. He loved to tell jokes and he was never without a smile. An outdoorsman, Don loved hunting and spent much of his time during deer season traveling back and forth from Eureka to the small inland community of Dinsmore, also in Humboldt County on the Van Duzen River. An avid reader, he had read nearly every western novel written by Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour. Likewise, he knew every television episode of Gunsmoke and Bonanza by heart.
During the last 5 years of his life, Don’s greatest joy was his time spent talking with customers at the Sky Dive-In restaurant located at the Murray Field Airport. It was a constant source of stimulation for him, where he was able to connect with acquaintances, old friends, as well as new people from around the country. Don’s gift of gab often inspired everyone in the restaurant to erupt into spontaneous discussions.
He was preceded in death by his oldest brother Frederick Ray 'Fred' Mizer; his mother Opal Avon Chance Mizer; and his father Milton Paige Mizer. He is survived by his partner in life Sandy Caudle; his children Anjulissa Wolff and husband Hodd Wolff of Eureka, his daughter Chrissy Mizer of Hanford, California, his son Shane Mizer and wife Diana Nunes Mizer of Eureka; grandchildren Samantha Church, SuZanna Church, Haylee Wolff, Lilia Mizer, and Josephine Mizer; his brother Mike Mizer of St. Louis, Missouri, and his sister Pat Schmidt of Eureka, California; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A graveside service was held at 1:00 PM at Ocean View Cemetery on Wednesday, 19 April 2006; and a Celebration of Life was held immediately after the service at Campton House Inn, 305 M Street in Eureka.
Donald Paul Mizer died suddenly and peacefully at the age of 58 in his home on Good Friday, 14 April 2006, leaving behind many who loved him dearly. Don was the youngest of four children with two older brothers and one sister. He is most remembered for his love of conversation and his amazing ability to recall events of the past. He loved to talk on the phone, and he would often call old friends out of the blue just to keep in touch. As a result, many often said he was a walking encyclopedia for the EHS Class of '66.
Born in Smith Center, Smith County, Kansas, on Friday, 2 April 1948, he moved with his family at an early age to Ferndale, Humboldt County, California, and lived in Humboldt County the rest of his life. Don graduated from Eureka Senior High School in 1966 and he was a graduate of College of the Redwoods. He was veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and he was very proud of his service to his country.
His family and close friends were the center of his world. He loved to tell jokes and he was never without a smile. An outdoorsman, Don loved hunting and spent much of his time during deer season traveling back and forth from Eureka to the small inland community of Dinsmore, also in Humboldt County on the Van Duzen River. An avid reader, he had read nearly every western novel written by Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour. Likewise, he knew every television episode of Gunsmoke and Bonanza by heart.
During the last 5 years of his life, Don’s greatest joy was his time spent talking with customers at the Sky Dive-In restaurant located at the Murray Field Airport. It was a constant source of stimulation for him, where he was able to connect with acquaintances, old friends, as well as new people from around the country. Don’s gift of gab often inspired everyone in the restaurant to erupt into spontaneous discussions.
He was preceded in death by his oldest brother Frederick Ray 'Fred' Mizer; his mother Opal Avon Chance Mizer; and his father Milton Paige Mizer. He is survived by his partner in life Sandy Caudle; his children Anjulissa Wolff and husband Hodd Wolff of Eureka, his daughter Chrissy Mizer of Hanford, California, his son Shane Mizer and wife Diana Nunes Mizer of Eureka; grandchildren Samantha Church, SuZanna Church, Haylee Wolff, Lilia Mizer, and Josephine Mizer; his brother Mike Mizer of St. Louis, Missouri, and his sister Pat Schmidt of Eureka, California; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A graveside service was held at 1:00 PM at Ocean View Cemetery on Wednesday, 19 April 2006; and a Celebration of Life was held immediately after the service at Campton House Inn, 305 M Street in Eureka.
