Page 173 - 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.

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