John Hilbert Fisher, Sr.

John Hilbert Fisher, Sr., 88, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on July 29, 2026. He was born on July 21, 1938, in Greensboro, NC to the Reverend Herman George and Ruby Vance Fisher. He moved frequently in his early years, as his father was a Lutheran Pastor, planting and nurturing multiple churches through North Carolina and into Virginia. Because many of these were home churches, he reluctantly had to clean his room every week, as Sunday school was held in his bedroom. Upon high school graduation, his desire was to enter the Marine Corps. However, his wise father convinced him to attend college for one year, promising him if he did not like it, he could drop out and join. Taking his father’s advice to heart, he enrolled at Lenoir Rhyne University, where he played fullback on the Bears championship football team (North State Conference). He was also a member of the tennis team. Later in college, he laid aside sports to focus on his studies and student government, becoming president of the student body his senior year. During his senior year, a young freshman caught his eye, and subsequently his heart-so much so that Linda Fry Abernethy became the love of his life for the next 65 years. They were married on June 10, 1961. Upon graduation, he did join the Marine Corps, but now with a college degree, as an officer, which allowed him to become a Marine Corps pilot. He flew an A4 Skyhawk, an attack aircraft capable of delivering nuclear weapons, and was on alert in Key West during the Cuban Missile Crisis. While in the Marines, his daughter, Kimberly Lynn was born. Although his time in the Marines was successful and fulfilling, family was his priority and he was honorably discharged prior to his son, John Hilbert, Jr., being born on July 4, 1964. Having a degree in business and accounting, his professional career centered around mortgage banking and real estate appraising. Although through his professional career, he worked with various companies, he also started two different companies, the latter being Fisher Appraisal and Consultant Services. His son, John Jr., worked closely with him at Fisher Appraisal as he was working toward his university and medical degrees. Working shoulder to shoulder and traveling together, John Jr. and his dad formed priceless memories and strengthened their bond as best friends.

John’s true legacy was his service to God and love for his family. In 1981, the family started attending Christian Life Church (CLC) serving faithfully in ministry for 14 years. During most of these years, John served on the deacon board and was on the search committee instrumental in bringing Pastor Stephen Chitty to CLC as lead pastor. The providence of God and wisdom of the committee are now evident as Pastor Chitty served successfully for 30 years, building Godly generations and expanding the church’s ministry and outreach in the kingdom.

John’s passion for winning the lost led he and Pastor Victor Smith, his best friend, to bring an evangelism training and outreach program to CLC called Evangelism Explosion (EE). Although much of the training was didactic, teaching students how to share their faith, the “meat” of the program involved boots-on-the-ground. Teams of three, a leader and two trainees, left the “safety” of the church and shared their faith in apartment complexes, shopping malls, laundromats; and to any other place they were led. Countless men, women and children came to faith in the Lord through this ministry. John would often say, “you can’t take it with you, it’s often been said, but if you know where you’re going, you can send it on ahead.” Needless to say, he did that!

Perhaps he was best remembered for the many years he taught the four- and five-year-old Sunday school. So many young lives were changed through his “tootsie roll” ministry, many of whom are in leadership today at CLC. With a pocketful (and sometimes camera case full) of tootsie rolls, he would reward (bribe) the kids to learn the Bible and its stories, much to the chagrin of parents, taking their sugar loaded children home after service. Few would complain, knowing John was filling their children with the love of Jesus and the knowledge to know and serve Him better.

Prior to returning to Columbia and CLC in 2021, John and Linda attended Community Bible Church in Beaufort, SC. They thoroughly enjoyed sitting under Pastor Carl Broggi’s teaching and leadership. As one might expect, they quickly started serving in the church, mom in the choir and John as a deacon. They developed many dear friendships during this time, but as his health declined, he moved back home, where he was lovingly cared for by his family.

Perhaps his greatest legacy is the one he will leave with his family. There was no doubt, he was the patriarch of the family in every sense of the word. He was always a source of strength, wisdom and unwavering love, always leading quietly by example. A man of prayer, he truly prayed without ceasing and the entire family knew where to bring their prayer requests. A devoted husband, he loved and cherished Linda during their 65-year marriage, and she was always first in his life. He was, likewise, a loving and devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather involved in every stage of his family’s lives. This involvement included family vacations, sporting events (as spectator and participant), birthdays, holidays, graduations, too-many-to count Gamecock Football games and even frequent trips to Costa Rica to visit Kim and Jonathan (more accurately, the grandkids) where they served as missionaries.

Mark 12:30-31 perhaps tells the story of his life the best: When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, He stated, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

He loved God WHOLEHEARTEDLY and he loved people UNCONDITIONALLY!
And he did it throughout his life.

John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Linda; his children, Kim (Jonathan) and John (Debbie); his grandchildren, Daniel (Emily), Christina (Drew), Paul (Karrah), Rachel, Stephen (Lauren), David (Rachel), Kathryn (Matt), Rebekah and Samuel; and great grandchildren, Kenny (KK), Dawson, Hannah, Hailey, Crosby, Camden, Everly, Landon, Sadie, Myles, Bailey and Grayson.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 5, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Barr-Price Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 11:00 am at Christian Life Church at 2700 Bush River Road in Columbia, SC. Burial will follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The funeral service is to be streamed on YouTube. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Evangelism Explosion International https://evangelismexplosion.org/give/

The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7

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