Ray Fisher
Ray Fisher died in his sleep October 20 at the Casa Nostra assisted living residence in Riberas del Pilar.
Fisher was born during the dust bowl era on June 7, 1930 in Carney, Oklahoma. After eight years living in a one-room school house, his parents moved the family to California.
Fisher worked diligently at his education, earning scholarships, playing football and working on construction crews. After earning his B.A. from Brigham Young University, his mentors there helped him get scholarships and achieve a masters in Public Administration degree from Syracuse University in New York.
Serendipity played a role when he met his future wife, Madelyn, in the train station in Ottawa, Canada, where both happened to be vacationing. They married in Calgary, Alberta following a short, long-distance courtship. They then enjoyed a gypsy lifestyle as Fisher’s career in housing construction administration took them to many U.S. cities and Saudi Arabia.
Fisher’s devotion to his Lord led him to volunteer in the many churches in which he worshipped over the years, culminating in his leadership of an underground church in Saudi Arabia comprised of 50 denominations. It was a great test of his outstanding peacemaking skills.
After semi-retirement in Colorado, the couple settled in Villa Nova in Ajijic in 2000, where he was on the board of the homeowners association. Fisher focused on the needs of local children and the Outreach program of Saint Andrew’s Church. He also grew beautiful roses in his garden. Fisher and his wife resettled at Casa Nostra, where the staff has taken exceptional care of them.
Fisher is survived by Madelyn, his wife of almost 59 years; sons Philip (Deborah) of Boulder Creek, California and Kenneth (Elaine) of San Antonio Texas; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, November 10, 11 a.m. at Saint Andrew’s Church in Riberas del Pilar. You are asked to wear your brightest clothes to celebrate the contribution to the world of this kind and generous gentle man.