The Reverend Dr. Carl M. Fisher, 90, of Matthews, NC, entered the Church triumphant November 17, 2023, at Matthews Glen, Matthews, NC.
Fisher was born in Lexington, N.C., son of the late Rev. Roy Linn Fisher and Ethel Blackwelder Fisher. He graduated from the American School in Tokyo, Japan, and received his undergraduate studies at Sophia University in Tokyo and Lenoir-Rhyne College (now University) in Hickory, N.C., where he received his B.A. Degree. He received a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C., and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. An honorary Doctor of Divinity degree was conferred on him by Lenoir-Rhyne University in 1973.
Fisher was ordained on June 8, 1958, by the Lutheran Synod of North Carolina and served for 40 years in ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church, Concord, N.C., Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Ipoh, Malaysia, the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, Savannah, Georgia, and Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, Matthews, N.C. Fisher served as a missionary in Malaysia and Singapore for 15 years. His career also included three administrative positions, one as Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore for eight years, and as Director for the Office on Mission, Service and Development of Lutheran World Ministries — the U.S.A. National Committee for the Lutheran World Federation in the 1980’s. In the 1970’s, he served on staff of the Lutheran World Federation, Department of Studies, as a coordinator for Asia and Africa on the Self-Studies on Stewardship and Church Economy.
In 1997, the Malaysian/Singapore Church honored him by making him Bishop Emeritus. In 2008, 50 years following his ministry there, he was named Pastor Emeritus of Trinity Lutheran Church, Concord, North Carolina. In 2011 he was made Pastor Emeritus of Cross and Crown.
Fisher was active in many community organizations throughout his life, including nine years on the Board of Trustees of Lenoir-Rhyne University and as President of the Alumni Association of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary for six years. Fisher was an active member of Rotary International first joining in Malaysia in 1967. He served as Vice-president, President Elect, and President, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. In 2008 Fisher was made Honorary Mayor of Cusco, Peru, by the Mayor of Cusco for his Humanitarian work in raising $50,000 for assistance to Rotary projects for the poor and needy in the Cusco area. Fisher was the recipient of numerous accolades and awards, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the State of NCs highest civilian award. Fisher was an avid traveler having visited over 140 countries and all continents.
Pastor Fisher led an exciting life and met many celebrities during his life. Some of his notable experiences were attending the War Crime Trials in Nuremberg in 1946; spending an hour alone with Mother Theresa in Calcutta, India in 1984; sharing the company of Joe DiMaggio for an entire afternoon as he personally took him to visit wounded troops from Korea in the Tokyo General hospital in 1951. At the age of 60, he ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
Fisher was a devoted family man and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his beloved wife and sweetheart of 64 years, Miriam Eleazer Fisher, of Matthews, N.C.; son Carl, Jr., (Erin) of Charlotte, NC, Drs. Jeremy (Katie) of Newton, NC, Dr. Janthi Webster (Jonathan) of Charlotte, and Lt. Colonel William Linn (Jenijoy) of Southern Pines, NC, and grandchildren: Miriam Webster Sheets (Caleb), Jonathan Webster (Maren), William Fisher, Samuel Fisher, Hannah Webster, Gracie Fisher, Wills Lavely, and James Fisher. Also surviving are his sisters Roselyn Misenheimer and Dr. Marjorie Matthews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sister, Daphne Jean Poole.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 6 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 4519 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and a reception to follow the service. The service will be live streamed. Officiating clergymen will include The Rev. Dr. Scott Suskovic, presiding pastor, Bishop Thomas Low, the Rev. Dr. Franklin Ishida, the Rev. Dr. J. A. Harbinson, and the Rev. Philip Tonnesen. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Carl M. and Miriam E. Fisher Scholarship Fund at Lenoir-Rhyne University, 625 7th Ave Pl NE, Hickory, NC 28601, or Christ Lutheran Church at 4519 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Inurnment will be private.
The Fisher family wishes to thank Via Health Partners Hospice, Matthews Glen staff, and Heritage Funeral Home of Indian Trail for their care and support during our loved one’s illness and death.
