Obit of Emerson, Bertha L. - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 8 Dec 2004 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Fisher Jr., Joseph Samuel Joseph Samuel Fisher, Jr., the only child born to Joseph Fisher, Sr. and Viola (Mann) Fisher in Jersey City, N. J. on November 13, 1909 died in Oklahoma City on August 26, 2002. Fondly known as 'Joe' by his many friends, he was educated in the New York City public school system until his high school years when his parents sent him to their home in Augusta, Georgia to attend the Haynes Institute, where he graduated with honors. He also attended Payne College in Augusta. Subsequently, he returned to New York in Harlem and worked for a time with the US Postal Service. He was an active member of the Redeemer Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry, was a member of the Redeemer Men's Group and was also an usher. He was an avid bridge player and was a charter member of the King and Queens Bridge Club in Oklahoma City, and started the Northeast Jr. Chamber of Commerce. He met his first wife, Jewell James of Oklahoma City while she was attending the Charliff School of Ballet. They later married in Oklahoma City and one child was born to that union, Jewel Fisher Jones. The couple lived here where he initially worked for his in-laws, Hattie and Percy James managing the Jewel theater on 4th Avenue and the Jay Kola Bottling Co. Mr. Fisher obtained the first Coca Cola franchise on the east side. Having migrated from New York, he had a long time interest in the entertainment industry. As the original owner of Joe's Skyline Club on NE 4th and Eastern, he will also be remembered for bringing 'up-scale entertainment' to Oklahoma City including such notables as Duke Ellington, Jackie Wilson, and Jimmy Smith. He left Oklahoma City for approximately 10 years, one of which was spent on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin, Islands. He returned in 1960 with his new bride, the former Wilhelmina Doyle, whom he met in Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Fisher managed the Top Hat Club at Bryant Center for many years, owned the Safari Club and the Living Room(s) East and West. In the late 70's, he moved into a totally new business venture opening Fisher's Professional Bail Bonding Co, which he operated until his health failed, which caused him to retire in 1994. Joe was very affable and well liked by all those who met him. He leaves to mourn his loss, his loving and devoted wife Wilhelmina of 43 years; his daughter and son-in law Jewel and Maurice Jones of Anchorage, Alaska; sisters-in-law, Ruby Garrison and husband Dr. Robert Garrison of Columbus, Ohio; Ethel Peterson of Seneca, South Carolina; brother-in-law and wife, Richmond Doyle and Bonnie of Atlanta, Georgia; cousins, the Rev. Cannon Lewis P. Bohler, Jr. of Augusta, Georgia and Henry C.L. Bohler of Tampa, Florida, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends throughout the world. The family wishes to thank the following for their unstinting care and devotion during Joe's extended illness: Dr. Byron Struck, the staff at the Northwest Nursing Center, hospice of Oklahoma City, particularly Paul Vanover for his faithful and devoted care, Nurse Judy and Chaplin Mark Wallace. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Sat., Aug. 31st at Redeemer Episcopal Church, 2100 N. MLK. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements handled by McKay-Davis Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Redeemer Episcopal Endowment fund, the Redeemer Scholarship fund, or a charity of your choice. Published in the Oklahoman on 8/30/2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html