Raymond Alex Fisher, 81

Raymond Alex Fisher was born in South Heart, N.D., on Dec. 5, 1927, to Mildred and Alex Fisher, and passed away on Nov. 10, 2009, from pneumonia. He joined his sister Arvilla at home, and they were later joined by siblings Don and Rita. He attended school in South Heart and graduated from South Heart High School. Ray was active in school sports as well as being an altar boy. He spent his spare time hunting and fishing with friends, as well as working for his father at the grain elevator. Ray attended business college in Bismarck, N.D., before being called to serve in the Army at the end of World War II. Ray joined the 5th Cavalry Regiment in July 1945 and served in occupied Japan. After his military service, he attended Dickinson State College (North Dakota) and received his teaching degree. When he enrolled at DSC, one of the first people he met was a young redhead named Clara who worked at the admissions desk. Ray courted her and finally convinced her that he was worthy of her hand in marriage. He started his teaching career in Hettinger, N.D., and taught in several small towns before settling in Kalispell, where he taught high school until his retirement in 1989. During this time, he earned a master s degree in education at Greeley, Colo. He was a familiar face taking tickets at many high school sporting events. Ray was active in bowling, golf, hunting and fishing, and shared his passion for these with family and friends. He started the first Mosquito Control District in conjunction with Flathead County, and ran that for almost 40 years. Ray suffered from Alzheimer s disease in his later years. He was residing in New Jersey at the time of his death. He is survived by his children, daughter, Kimberly, in Florida; sons, Adrian and Kishwer in New Jersey, Mike and Chelly in Washington, and Eric and Toni in California; and a daughter-in-law, Judy Fisher, in California. He is also survived by his brother, Don and Irene Fisher; along with his sister, Rita and Bill Kubas; numerous nieces and nephews; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father; mother; sister, Arvilla; his wife of 52 years, Clara; and his youngest son, Brad. Cremation has taken place and interment will be in the spring in South Heart. Ray leaves behind many lifelong friends and will be missed by all who knew him.