Nick Fisher

1929 - 2013

Nick Fisher

Asheville - Nick Fisher, (Henry Coleman Fisher, Jr.) passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2013 after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was 83. He was the son of Henry C. Fisher, Sr. and Eula Mae Reed Fisher, born on July 24, 1929.

Nick's Christian faith was evident in every aspect of his life. He was an active member of Emma United Methodist Church for almost 30 years, singing in the choir and participating in the United Methodist Men.

Nick had a smile, joke or hug for everyone and never met a stranger.

A savvy businessman, he was also tenderhearted and quick to help people in need, repeatedly providing financial or emotional support to hard working people who just needed a break or someone to believe in them.

Nick worshipped his wife and children and he made sure they knew it. He was an affectionate man and was quick to wrap his arms around everyone in a big hug and give his daughters and granddaughters some "good sugar". He adored Lee, his wife of almost 60 years, and quickly told anyone who would listen that he "did good" when he married her.

Nick was a man of integrity. Providing an example of openness, honesty and unconditional love to his children, he told them to always tell him the truth; that they could never cause him to stop loving them. The importance of taking care of each other was a lesson he demonstrated throughout his life.

Music was a major part of Nick's life. He loved Big Band, Swing and Mountain Folk music. As a young man, he played guitar and sang in a variety of small bands. He made folks laugh with his yodeling and was fluent in Pig Latin. The caption in his high school yearbook was "Rather eat than sleep, rather dance than eat." Dancing came naturally to him, especially jitterbug, square dance and clogging. He was never happier than when he was on a dance floor and ladies would line up to be his partner. Dancing with their Papaw was always a highlight of special events for his granddaughters.

Nick loved everything Western and his idea of looking good was to don a Western shirt, bolo tie, cowboy hat and boots.

When Nick was 15, he got his pilot's license. It was not uncommon for him to fly throughout Western North Carolina even prior to receiving his driver's license. He graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1948, received a BS in Geology in 1952 from UNC-Chapel Hill and was a Tar Heel fan for life. He earned his Master's Degree in the Science of Geology at the University of Oklahoma in 1956. After graduating from Chapel Hill, he served his country in active duty from 1952-1954 in the US Navy as Lt. J.G. on the U.S.S. Ashland. This was followed by eight years in the reserves.

Nick married the love of his life, Lee Crawford Fisher in 1953. Together, they had three children, Linda, Henry and Carmen. Nick followed his career goals as a geologist with Humble Oil, a subsidiary of EXXON, from 1956-1970, throughout the mid west in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. He resigned his job and moved back to Asheville in 1970 to care for his elderly parents. At that time he established Nik Pik Market, Altamont and Coachcrest Mobile Home Parks, which he operated until his retirement.

Nick is survived by his loving wife, Lee C. Fisher, and three children, Linda Fisher Poss and husband, S. Wesley Sharpe, Henry C. Fisher III and wife, Diana Curtis Fisher, Carmen Fisher Murray and husband, Michael Murray, twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Charlene Fisher Askew and husband Garland, along with numerous brother & sister in laws, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jean Fisher Malone and his son-in-law, Tom Poss.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Shirley Bryant, Memory Care, CarePartners Hospice, and the loving staff of Aston Park Health Care Center. The tender care they provided to Nick the last two years of his life were a comfort to him and his family.

Receiving of friends will be from 6:00-7:30 pm Saturday, March 2. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 3 at 2:00 pm. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. Visitation and services will be held at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. Until that time, the family will be gathered at the home.

Donations in Nick's memory may be made to one of the following: Cure Alzheimer's Fund, 34 Washington St. Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481, www.curealzfund.org/, or MemoryCare, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803, www.memorycare.org.

The online register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.