Lloyd K. Fisher of Hermiston died peacefully in his sleep Nov. 17, 2014 at the age of 78. He was under constant vigil by his wife, Gwenn, and daughters, Tammy Campbell and Kori Hendrickson, until the last moment. They ensured he was not alone when Our Lord took him home. Kori was with him when he passed. A memorial will be held Friday, Nov, 21, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.
He raised a family through wheat and cattle ranching, logging, law enforcement, and agricultural sales and distribution. Lloyd met his first wife Shirley May Barleen (Rusty) while attending Oregon Technological Institute in Klamath Falls. He then joined the military. From January 1956 to January 1959, Lloyd served as a U.S. Marine. He was sent east and while there fathered a little red-headed “Tar Heel” named Tammy Denise, born in New Bern, N.C., while stationed at Camp Lejuene. She is forever the “Apple of his eye!” After returning to the land from which he grew, a second child (Lloyd Kent) arrived in 1960 as he made a go of logging and ranching. Lawrence Henry (Butch to family since infancy, Chuck to his friends since college at EOU) arrived in 1964. Five years later, despite having to leave the Baker Valley, Lloyd moved his family up to Pendleton and then eventually to Cherokee, Iowa to sell farm equipment. He did these things to better the lives of his children. That a Blue Mountain Boy would suffer three years on the flat forest-less cornfield of Iowa, is a testament to the self-sacrifices he made to better his family.
Upon returning to the West, Lloyd spent time in Pendleton, Prosser, Wash., and Hermiston. At the end of his first marriage, Lloyd reconnected with the incredible girl from his past who turned out to be the love of his life: Gwenn. They married Feb. 27, 1988. This miracle included the gifts of his daughters Kori, Bambi, and Tammy. These precious choices enhanced and fulfilled his life in ways unfathomable and established that a father can have more than one “Apple of his eye!” Whether, Mississippi, Pilot Rock, the Oregon Coast, Pendleton, North Carolina, Hermiston, Japan and beyond, his family was a constant source of pride and joy. In fairness, there were many difficulties and troubles along the way but through which he was always a rock of logical, blunt advice and an example of living one’s choices.
He will be so painfully missed by his family that no words could possibly describe it. He had immense pride in his grandchildren: Justin, Tayler, McKenzee, Kristofer, Tiffany, Lindsay, Jennifer, Ashley, Autumn, Kodee, Heather, Travis, Joshua, Will, Zane, Karson, and Nici. He was especially proud of his soon to be 14 great grandchildren as well.
Lloyd was blessed with many sons and daughters who married into his family. Tammy (Fisher) married Doug Campbell (who was an endless source of assistance and aid and who is as much or more like Lloyd in character as his sons), Bambi Clark married Ronnie Smith (the Mississippi Man), Butch married Marla, Tammy Clark was married to Gary Paige, Kori Clark married Nate Hendrickson, Kent married Valerie (always “Chipmunk” to Lloyd), and former son-in-law Andy (Justin’s dad).
With Lloyd blood was merely one way to be his family . . . love was the more important way.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, HK, Jr.; granddaughter, Brandy; brother, Bob; sister, Marquita; and numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to a charity of your choice.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
