Larry Alonzo Fisher

Mr. Larry Alonzo Fisher, 77, of Arden, NC passed away at home on September 26 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born on March 22, 1935, in Charlotte, NC and was the eldest of three children born to the late Alonzo Fisher and the late Callie Burke.  Larry was the loving husband of Ann McElhaney Fisher and the devoted father to his daughters, Laura Keesee and her husband, Scott of Marietta, GA, and Leigh Ann Wong and her husband, Alan of Waxhaw, NC. He was known as "Poppi" to his six grandchildren and will be missed dearly by Emily, Lexi and Evan Keesee, and Emma Grace, Matthew and Luke Wong. He is also survived by his brother, Archie Fisher and was preceded in death by his sister, Wanda Fisher Mooers.  As an adventurous 17 year old, Larry joined the US Naval Service in 1952 where he was able to travel and see the world which he continued to do as long as he was able. During his station in San Diego, CA he traveled 17 hours by plane to court his bride-to-be, Ann Smith McElhaney, whom he married in June 1957. They began their life together in a married student cottage at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since February 1963. He acquired a Masters of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University in 1986.  Mr. Fisher began a long and distinguished career with the City of Asheville in 1970 and retired in 1996. He served as the Deputy Director and Fiscal Officer of the Model Cities Agency for two years, then as the City of Asheville's Director of Finance for 24 years. Prior to these responsibilities he was District Sales Manager and Corporate Auditor for Chrysler Corporation and a Tax Consultant and Auditor for Peat Marwick, Mitchell & Co (KPMG). He was an active participant in the North Carolina Government Finance Officers Association and was elected by his peers to serve a term as President of the Association. In addition, he was an active member and participant in the North Carolina Association of CPAs (Board member), Western Carolina Chapter of NCAPA (Past President), Leadership Asheville Alumni Association (Past Treasurer), North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board of North Capital Management Trust.  Following retirement, Mr. Fisher was well known throughout North Carolina, serving multiple cities as Interim Financial Officer, including two interim responsibilities in the City of Shelby.  Larry was very active in community affairs and service organizations. He was a long standing and active member of Arden Presbyterian Church where he faithfully served as a deacon and an elder. Throughout the years he has been a devoted supporter of many organizations including the Black Mountain Home for Children. The family would like to thank hospice for their caring and loving support.    A memorial service will be held at Arden Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family. Memorial contributions in honor of Larry Fisher would be welcomed one of the following: CarePartners Foundation (Hospice) PO Box 25338 Asheville, NC 28813 www.carepartners.org Black Mountain Home for Children 80 Lake Eden Road Black Mountain, NC 28711 www.blackmountainhome.org Arden Presbyterian Church Missions Program 2215 Hendersonville Road Arden, NC 28704