Gary Lockhart Fisher, 87, passed away on February 10, 2024, in McKinney, Texas. Gary was born on August 28, 1936, in Santa Maria, California to Thomas Lockhart and Ide Mae (Brooks) Fisher.
Raised in Lompoc, California, Gary enlisted in the Construction Battalion of the US Navy in 1955. Proudly serving as a ‘Seabee’, he was deployed to both US Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines and US Naval Air Facility Adak, Alaska before being honorably discharged in 1961. He married Bonnie Cherie Neumann on April 4, 1971, in Piedmont, California. Gary and Bonnie settled and raised their family in San Ramon, California.
Gary enjoyed a successful sales career where he was known as a charming and gregarious leader. Gary never met a stranger and had the proverbial ‘gift of the gab’ in spades. A dedicated pet owner, Gary was rarely seen around the neighborhood without his sweet dogs, Scotch and Soda, and later, Tahoe. Gary could be easily convinced to spend time fishing with friends or family – a bit of nature and good conversation was his own heaven on earth. Even in his later years, his extensive rod collection was hung with pride on the garage wall and the memories brought him great joy.
Active in many community service organizations, Gary was a 50-year member of the San Ramon Rotary International Club and the Oakland Lake Merritt Business Breakfast Club, where he still attended via Zoom even after moving to Texas in 2022. He was honored as a 50-year member of the Fresno Masonic Blue Lodge and a 32nd degree Master Mason in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. In addition, he enjoyed coaching community youth sports in San Ramon.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Bonnie ; son, US Navy Sr. Chief Christopher Thomas Lockhart Fisher (Janet); daughter, Susan Lee Fisher Spence (Barry). Gary adored his 13 awesome grandchildren; Eliana, Michael, Joel, Cole, Tabatha, Todd, Joshua, Jonathan, Brandon, Caedra, Tyler and Sean and 8 incredible great-grandchildren. Gary is also survived by his brother, Larry Fisher.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Jase Fisher.
Gary will be interred in a private family service in South Lake Tahoe, California.