Robert Donald Sizemore

Robert Donald Sizemore, a man who lived his life in faithfulness to Christ; in loving devotion to his wife, his family and friends; and in service to his country, passed away peacefully at his Manassas home on Friday, March 24, 2023. He was 90. Born on April 24, 1932 in Covel, W.Va. – in the heart of coal country – he grew up among 17 siblings. He enjoyed playing football for his team at Mount Hope High School so much he had to walk five miles from the practice field to his home at the Red Star Coal Camp near Oak Hill, W.Va. But before he could graduate he had to quit school to help support his family. Mr. Sizemore enlisted in the Navy as the nation faced a new war on the Korean peninsula in 1950. Assigned to the destroyer USS John W. Thomason with the 7th Fleet, he served as a metalsmith (blacksmith) fireman. The Thomason participated in multiple actions, and when it took on severe damage to its hull Mr. Sizemore and his crew mates took the initiative to stuff holes in her hull with mattresses and pieces of lumber in order to keep the ship afloat as it made its way back to safety for repairs. For his honorable service he earned multiple military ribbons. Mr. Sizemore returned to West Virginia after his service and met the gal of his dreams, Carol. On one of their earlier dates he told her he was going to marry her, to which she replied, “in your dreams.” That dream lasted more than 64 years as they were joined in matrimony on December 29, 1958. He worked at odd jobs to start off supporting Carol but settled on carpentry when on a hunch he applied at a job site. Not knowing a thing about carpentry, he would just follow the lead of the more experienced crewmen. In the end he developed skills to build additions to his home, decks and a large barn on his property. But he retired from the Prince William Service Authority after 21 years, in 2000 as Infiltration/Inflow Supervisor. Living in Manassas since 1963, he also enjoyed fishing, hunting and watching football, especially the Washington Redskins, the West Virginia Mountaineers and Navy. He was a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, serving as a deacon. He was preceded in death by his father, Miles Ellis Sizemore; his mother, Anna Mae; along with 14 siblings Luther, Jessie, Mabel, Junior, Carl, Ethel, Ruth, Helen, Jean, June, David, Patricia, Jack and Beverly. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; three daughters , Kathy Sizemore with her husband Jeff Pijanowski; Cynthia Bittner with her husband Steve Bittner; and Robin Sizemore. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Lura Kate Pijanowski, Shane Bittner and his wife Katie Bittner, Carolyn Pijanowski, Hannah Bittner and Bethany Bittner; and three siblings, Bill, Shirley and Jan. Visitation will be held at Pierce Funeral Home on Thursday, March 30, from 4 o’clock to 7 o’clock. Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 9 a.m. Burial will be at Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made either to Capital Caring Hospice or Emmanuel Baptist Church, 8006 Centreville Rd, Manassas, VA 20111.

Robert Donald Sizemore

April 24, 1932 - March 24, 2023