More detail on this person: James Benjamin Fisher Ben Deseret News, The (Salt Lake City, UT) - Wednesday, August 20, 2008 UT United States James Benjamin (Ben) Fisher 1930 ~ 2008 "God has given us no greater blessing than that of belonging to a loving and loyal family, and it will be so, always and forever." -Richard L. EvansJames Benjamin Fisher, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, died unexpectedly but peacefully on Aug. 16, 2008, in Murray, Utah of complications due to Parkinson's Disease. Born 31 August 1930, in Portland, Oregon to Kimball and Lydia Cordelia Farnsworth Fisher, he was the oldest of four children. He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah. He graduated from the University of Omaha with a Bachelor Degree and from Baylor University with a Master of Hospital Administration degree. Ben married Marlene Peterson 17 March 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. Following their marriage they experienced a life of adventure, traveling the world for almost 30 years with the US Army. Ben lived a life of service to his family, his church, and his country. He served in the US Army from 1951 to 1980 retiring as a Colonel. His service included combat tours as a medical evacuation helicopter pilot in a MASH unit during the Korean War and the Commander of a medical evacuation DUSTOFF unit in Vietnam. He is the recipient of many military awards including the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 oak leaf cluster, and the Bronze Star. Ben also served as a military Hospital Administrator before retiring. He continued to serve the healthcare community with Intermountain Health Care followed by the Utah State Department of Health until 1989 when he again retired. He served as a Boy Scout leader for many years creating great scouting programs for his four sons and many other boys. He is the recipient of the B.S.A. Silver Beaver award. Ben served in the Hawaiian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a young man. He has served in many callings in the church including Bishop, Temple Sealer, and counselor in the Presidencies of the Swiss and Jordan River Temples. He served four LDS missions with his wife--Spain Bilbao Mission, 1990-1992; Swiss Temple, 1994-1995; Jordan River Temple, 1996-1999; and Family & Church History Mission, Church Headquarters, 2002-2003. He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene, and five children: Cheryl (Allan) Driggs of Spring, Texas; Brent A. (Sharon Kaye) Fisher of Corona, California; Greg S. (Renita) Fisher of Spring, Texas; Kurt R. (Noelle) Fisher of Mesa, Arizona; and Douglas G. (Beatrice) Fisher of Arlington, Texas; 25 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Zoe Francis of Salt Lake City, Utah; brothers, Chad K. (Pat) Fisher of Draper, Utah; and Monte F. (Darlene) Fisher of Lehi, Utah. He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Alicia Fisher, and his parents. Services will be held on Fri. 22 August at 11 a.m. at the LDS Chapel, 6350 Rodeo Lane in Murray, UT. Friends and family may attend a viewing Thurs. evening 21 August from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S., and on the day of the funeral from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the Church. Interment with military honors will take place at Fort Douglas Military Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the LDS Church Missionary fund, Perpetual Education fund, or Temple fund.
Burial information: Fort Douglas Military Cemetery, Salt Lake City, UT
This information was last updated 11/06/2017
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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