ARTHUR B. HISER

Coppell, Texas - Arthur B. Hiser, 88, died Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Baylor Hospital in Carrollton, Texas. He was born on May 14, 1923, in Nortonville, Kansas, the son of Arthur Burgoyne and Helen Emma (Mitchell) Hiser Sr.

Art grew up in Nortonville. He then moved to Manhattan, Kansas and graduated from Manhattan High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1942 as an aviation cadet. Art served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945 during WWII as a fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex, in the fifth fleet, in the Pacific. His plane was blown off the back of the carrier during a flight deck fire while his squadron was taking off. Although badly injured, he managed to escape his sinking plane to his life raft and was later picked up by a destroyer as the USS Essex continued to its designated rendezvous with returning flight.

Art studied chemical engineering and graduated cum laude from Kansas State University following the war. On February 1, 1948, he married Georganne Fowler in Dodge City after she graduated from K-State.

Art started his engineering career with Mobil Oil in Beaumont, Texas following his mariage and graduation. He then worked overseas for Mobil Oil for five years in a refinery in Adelaide and offices in Melbourne Australia in the early 1960s. He retired in 1984 from Mobil as the manager of the Paulsboro, New Jersey refinery after management assignments in East Chicago, Indiana and Torrance, California.

He was a member of First Methodist Church, Rotary, and Hospice.

Art is survived by his wife Georganne Hiser, Coppell, Texas; two sons Daniel A. Hiser, Joliet, Illinois and David W. Hiser, Houston, Texas; two daughters, Jan L. Hiser, Coppell, Texas and Jillian M. Hiser, Tehachapi, California; and two grandchildren Joshua M. Hiser and Jennifer M. Hiser. Art was the last living of his parents, Art and Helen, three brothers, Wilbur (Bud), Glen, and Frank, and three sisters, Myrnice, Norma, and Doris.

We will always remember Dad as a loving father and husband, hardworking tireless caring family helper, in home, yard and garden, and a honest trusted friend. He is already dearly missed.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home in Dodge City on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. with Dr. Phil Scott presiding. Burial will follow at Ford Cemetery in Ford. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Monday, March 12, 2012 from 9:00 A.M. til 2:00 P.M.. Memorials are suggested to donors choice, in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.