RAY FISCHER, 92

Raymond P. Fischer was born July 6, 1929 in Fromberg, Mont., one of eight children, where he grew up, graduating from High School in 1947. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1948 as an electrician and radio technician. He was stationed in San Antonio Texas, San Bernadino, Calif., Vacaville, Calif., Fairbanks, Alaska, and Warner Robbins, Ga., before he was honorably discharged in 1957. He met Jacqueline Jean Stryker from Ontario, Calif., in 1950 and they were married in June 1951. In 1952 son Mark was born in Vacaville, and son Scott was born in Fairbanks in 1955. In 1964 Ray and Jackie became legal guardians for Ellie Di Lulo, following the passing of her parents. Ray passed peacefully, surrounded by his family on Nov. 1, 2021, due to organ failure following hip surgery after falling on Oct. 25.

Ray worked in aerospace for Convair and as a television repairman in Lancaster, Calif. for Sears Roebuck from 1957 to 1966. At that point he packed up the family and moved to North Idaho, following a family vacation to Coeur d’Alene in the Summer of 1966, where the whole family fell in love with the area. He continued to work for Sears as an appliance repairman; then he traveled throughout the inland northwest assisting Sears servicemen for several years, and finally he became the store manager for the Coeur d’Alene Catalog Sales Store. After that he started his own appliance repair business and worked at the Carpet Center before becoming manager of the Lake Tower Apartments, where he lived and worked until 2003, when son-in-law Ron Goltz, took over managing the apartments.

Ray liked boating on the lakes of North Idaho, enjoying fishing, water skiing and exploring. Consequently, numerous boating experiences and family stories ensued which have been humorously embellished over the years! He was still riding Scott’s Jet Ski at the age of 89 and was obviously as active as he could be until about the age of 90, when he moved from his home in Hayden to Honeysuckle Senior Living. He also loved woodworking, a skill he passed on to both his sons. Ray could fix anything using anything as parts (the first McGyver?) and he was always willing to help anyone who needed it.

Ray was for years a member of the Elks Lodge, and Lions Club International and drum major for the Perfection Nots Band in the Fourth of July Parade, started by Larry and Sharon Strobel. He and Jackie were also long-time members in the Good Sams Club. He also loved to play penny ante poker with a group of guys who played twice a month until about two years ago.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Jackie, in 2010, grandsons Colin (from son Mark) in 2017 and Grant (from son Scott and wife Susie) in 2018. Survivors include Mark and his wife Corinn, Scott and his wife Susie, and Ellie Goltz and her husband Ron, six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Family services will be held at a future date. Charitable donations are requested in memory of Ray to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Hospice of North Idaho in Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements and you may leave condolences at yatesfuneralhomes.com.