Frank George Samuel Hizer III, 90 years young, passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2025, with his wife, Linda, by his side. Frank was in charge all the way to the end and left on his terms. He knew his body couldn’t handle much more and Hospice was coming that day, so he made a quick departure.

Frank was born in Hayward to Myrtle and Edgar Hizer. He had one older sister, Vonda. His father was a logger in the Placerville/Sierra Nevada area and his mom ran their logging camp kitchen. Frank said his family moved once or twice a year, and that he went to at least 13 different schools growing up. He said he didn’t like school much and never had much of a chance to make friends. When his family moved to Fieldbrook, he did his senior year at Arcata High. It was there that he made several lifelong friends within his Class of ‘52. Up until last Spring, there were 10-15 of them meeting for monthly luncheons.

While at Arcata High Frank met his first wife Shirley Luster. After graduation, Frank enlisted in the Navy, married Shirley, and they had daughter Donna in 1955 and son Joseph in 1957 while he was stationed in San Diego on the USS Sperry. He also took Navy courses to become a Master Welder. His love for welding stayed with him throughout his life. After the Navy, Frank, Shirley and kids moved back to Fieldbrook and he got a job as a welder with the PG&E nuclear plant at King Salmon. He worked there for a while but said it was too restrictive and he found himself in trouble numerous times with the Union for helping his fellow workers whenever he had extra time. That was just who Frank was. He loved helping people.

A few years later, Frank moved his family down to Fortuna and opened Fortuna Wheel and Brake in 1961. He spent the next 50 years being a successful businessman and doing what he loved: working on cars, recapping tires, outthinking anything mechanically broken, building a roadster and stock and drag cars. So many people either worked for or hung out at Frank’s shop. Lots of afterhours projects were built there too. Friendships were made, and friends became family. Many looked up to him as a father, and a few still call him Dad.

Family was very important to him. He and Shirley were married 30 years and remained friends after they divorced. As a young family, they were involved with many activities: raising & showing horses professionally, softball, football, wrestling, house boating, water skiing, and Stock Car & Drag Racing.

As a grandfather, he continued the same dedication; traveling to Redding to as many events as possible to watch his granddaughter Hilaree, later to UNLV for her graduation. He traveled to Pensacola, FL to stand with his Grandson Ivan while getting his Navy Wings. He enjoyed talking with them and hearing about their lives.

In his spare time Frank kept busy joining local clubs, leagues, and organizations-Jaycees, Toast Masters, Bowling, Straight-A-Ways Car Club, FUHS Board, and the Rodeo Board. He played a key role in starting Fortuna’s Pop Warner Football, which is now ERV Youth Football. He loved that chapter in his life. He spent many years being involved with the local youth and coaches teaching teamwork and respect. In 1965 he joined the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, Company 3 Hook and Ladder. He was dedicated to the department for 43 years, serving the last several years as Assistant Chief and Chief.

Another big piece of Frank’s life was creating the Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo Car Show. He said it got its start when the High School asked for his help in putting together a car show one year. An idea was born! As the story goes, he got together with a few friends and a six pack of beer and started brainstorming. From there it just kept growing each year. Now 34 years later, it’s one of the most popular car shows around. Frank stepped aside as President in 2017 but remained an important member on the committee.

Frank truly loved Fortuna and Fortuna loved him too. He was Citizen of the Year in 2002, awarded Fireman of the Year in 2005, and Rodeo Parade Grand Marshal in 2006.

Frank worked hard and played harder. In his downtime, Frank was the life of any party going on, and even if you couldn’t see him, you could hear his distinct laugh rise above the crowd. He was usually with his best friend Joe, having a cocktail or two, and between the two of them they would find lots of good-humored mischief. He also loved watching sports, horse racing and NASCAR.

In the spring of 1999 Frank met his second wife, Linda. They spent the next 25 years building a wonderful life together traveling to different places, always finding a flea market or casino; dancing; laughing; helping at the Elks Lodge; annual Reno Bus Trips; traveling to family events, which usually involved a game of Pinochle; moving to Hydesville where they kept busy with a variety of hobbies, ranch life, including raising mini donkeys; and mostly enjoying each other’s company. That incredible bond got them through the many tough times that were to come.

Frank was one of the toughest people around. He fought a long uphill battle after finding out in 2016 that he was in kidney failure caused by a rare immune disease, Wegener’s Granulomatosis, a vascular disease that can affect any or all organs. By the grace of God, we were blessed with Dr. Mathew. With the knowledge and dedication of him and his staff at Redwood Renal and Eureka Dialysis Clinic, Frank had eight more years with us.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Myrtle & Edgar; daughter, Donna; in-laws, Dorothy & Jess Luster; sister, Vonda; brother-in-law, Larry; sister-in-law, Karen; father-in-law, Robert; #2 son Emil & wife Mary Ann; several cousins, a nephew, and many close friends.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Joseph (Nadya); granddaughter Hilaree (Steven); great-grandchildren Brayden & Kayleigh; grandson, Ivan (Becca); former wife, Shirley; son-in-law Gary (Karen); sister-in-law, Annette; #2 daughter, DeDee (Shannon); best friend, Joe; several nieces & nephews; and many close friends.

We will be having a celebration of life on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Fortuna Veterans Memorial Hall, starting with a Fire Truck Procession at 12:30 p.m. A Memorial Service will follow at 1 p.m. Food and drink will be provided. Frank requested we make this a happy occasion and celebrate a life well-lived.  Feel free to wear cheerful colors and bring a story to share.

If you are unable to attend, please raise a glass wherever you are and tell a Frank Story, hug your family & friends, or do something nice for someone.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations in memory of Frank to: Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, ERV Youth Football, or Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Frank Hizer’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.