Page 179 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Donald F. Kizer

1943-1944

Most Worshipful Brother Donald Franklin Kizer was born in
St. Paris, Ohio, on August 28, 1880. In 1890 his parents
moved to Spokane, where he and his older brother, Ben,
received their early education in the public schools. Even in
their boyhood days, as well as during their later careers as
lawyers, the brothers were friendly competitors in that they
sold competing newspapers on the streets of Spokane.

In order to finance his further education Don worked
underground in the Rossland and Coeur d'Alene mines for
nearly three years and took pride in the fact that he had been
a "hard rock miner."

In 1904 Don received his degree of Bachelor of Law at the University of Michigan and returned
to Spokane, where he practiced his profession during the remainder of his life. From 1907 to 1912
he served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney of Spokane County. He then returned to private practice
until March of 1925, when he became United States District Attorney and served in that capacity
until April of 1926. Preferring the private practice of law, he accepted no other public office,
although many times urged to do so.

Our Brother was initiated in Oriental Lodge No. 74, on April 1, 1912; passed on April 15, I9I2,
and raised on May 20, I9I2, serving as Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1916.

He received the 32nd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 1912 and served as Sir
Preceptor of the Council of Kadosh and for many years as a member of the Coordinating
Committee and the Masonic Temple Association. In 1921 he received the rank of Knight
Commander of the Court of Honor, and in 1929 he was elected to receive the 33rd Degree. He was
also a member of El Katif Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S.

Most Worshipful Brother Kizer was the first Grand Master of this Jurisdiction to die during his
term in office. Following a strenuous series of visitations in Western Washington, he attended, in
company with Most Worshipful Brother J. G. Brown, the Grand Master of British Columbia, the
installation of officers of St. Andrews Lodge No. 37, in Victoria, B. C. While in Victoria he
suffered an attack of influenza and was taken to the Masonic Home at Zenith where he passed to
his reward on February, 23, 1944.