Allyn Joe Fisher was born April 25, 1923, to Edith and Joseph Fisher of Walla Walla. Allyn passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his wife, children and family Jan. 25, 2011, after a long battle with pulmonary disease. Allyn's faithful companion Bunny, his dog, remained by his side.
Allyn grew up in Pomeroy. After graduating high school in 1940, he joined the U.S. Army on March 19, 1943. He became an aerial engineer and sergeant, airline electrical mechanic-gunner, assisting the airplane commander in operation, inspection and repair. Upon his return from the Army with an honorable discharge in February 1946, Allyn met Corleen B. Smith of Pomeroy. The couple married Nov. 12, 1948.
Allyn and Corleen settled in Grangeville, both working for Pacific Northwest Bell (PNB). In 1952, their first child, Alana, was born, and in 1954 they celebrated the birth of Gary. The couple then moved to Clarkston with the relocation of PNB and welcomed a third child, Kelly, in 1964.
In 1957, while working for PNB, Allyn founded a background music and securities company, now known as Fisher Systems. The company rapidly expanded and Allyn was able to retire from PNB after 30 years of service. Fisher Systems continues to operate today.
Finally able to enjoy all of his hard work and relax with friends, Allyn and Corleen began traveling in a motor coach during the winter months, stopping in Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Calif., Arizona and Mexico. During the summer months, most of his free time was spent fishing and boating with his family. Allyn enjoyed the Lochsa Lodge, telling amazing fish stories on the liar's bench and meeting newcomers who stopped to visit. He also enjoyed hosting friends and family for an annual Fourth of July backyard barbecue and swim. Allyn had a pontoon boat moored on Dworshak Reservoir, where he enjoyed fishing and sunbathing with his wife, children and twin granddaughters. Allyn also enjoyed estate sales, antiquing, and most of all talking with friends and family. He was a quiet, soft-spoken, gentle man, with great honor and dignity, and was "quite a storyteller."
Allyn was an active member of the Elks and Moose lodges, Telephone Pioneers, Wood Work Association, and a Mason from the Pomeroy Branch.
Allyn was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Edith Fisher. He leaves behind his family: wife of 62 years, Corleen Fisher, who retired from PNB with 27 years of service; daughter Alana and Brian Thompson of Clarkston - Alana works in the Human Resources Department at Tri-State Memorial Hospital in Clarkston, Brian is retired from Potlatch Corp.; son Gary J. and Virginia Fisher of Clarkston - Gary is owner of Fisher Systems telecommunications and securities, Virginia is an elementary school teacher at Grantham; daughter, Kelly and Mark Fuhrman of Sagle, Idaho - Kelly is a family nurse practitioner and Mark works for Fox News as a consultant; twin granddaughters Bridgett A. Fisher of Olympia, an enforcement attorney with Department of Financial Institutions, Securities Division, and Brooke L. Fisher of Seattle, the communication specialist for the King County Library System.
The family is profoundly grateful to Seuberts Home Care, Erin Grimm, Kasey Iverson and Joanie Baumberger for their tender love and care provided to our father. Special thank you to friends and neighbors for their support, Meals on Wheels, and Interlink Volunteers. Sincere thank you to Dr. Dennis Mountjoy and staff for allowing Allyn's wishes to be fulfilled. Also a note of thanks to the Royal Plaza staff for rehabilitation of Corleen so she could rejoin Allyn in the family home.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations on behalf of Allyn Joe Fisher and family to the Walla Walla School of Nursing Program, 1470 Bridge St., Clarkston, WA 99403, (509) 758-3339; Meals on Wheels, 549 Fifth St., Clarkston, WA 99403, (509) 758-3816; or Interlink Volunteers, 817A Sixth St., Clarkston, WA 99403, (509) 751-9143.
The Fisher family will conduct a private graveside service at a later date, and a memorial at his favorite fishing spot in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area this summer to honor Allyn's wishes.
Good-bye, Dad, we will miss you very much.
"Thank you for calling and Thank you for everything."
