A Life to Remember

On January 20, 2011, my paternal grandfather, Elmer Fisher, entered the presence of Jesus.  We praise the Lord his suffereing is now over and he is walking beside his Savior.  However, the pain of separation is still hard and will take some time to work through.  It has been difficult to say the least to not physically standby my parents and other family members during this time.  We are all leaning heavily on His all sufficient grace and strength to grieve from a distance.  A memorial service will be held for him this Saturday, February 5 in Buellton, California.  As our family comes to your mind, please pray for us.  Thank you so much!  

Some of my memories and thoughts....


Not many grandchildren can boast in the fact that they grew up with their grandpa living next door.  Most all of my childhood memories have Campa in them.  Dinner around the kitchen table was not complete without his presence.  He was our on-call babysitter if we needed him when mom and dad were gone.  Early feeding times for the animals were always greeted with a cheery “good morning”, if he didn’t already beat dad to the farm before the break of dawn.  I spent summers working with him on the farm as he taught me how to pack a flower box and make newspaper pillows for them.  The memories are innumerable.  However, it was in these daily moments of living life together in which I saw a man that was genuine in character and spirit and who fully embraced life.  

Campa’s positive outlook on life and seeking to consider all things with joy, even in the hardest of trials, are what I will remember and miss most about him.  He had a way of adding a skip to his step and a smile that was most contagious.  In his hardest of times there was always something to be joyful about and something to be thankful for.  Determined never to focus on the negative, but always the positive.  When things were tough he never lost hope and with a fist pump, smile and laugh would say: “We’re gonna make it!” or “Everything is going to be OK, no need to worry!”  

He was also a very generous man.  If he wasn’t giving of his finances he was giving of his time to help someone or simply place a phone call to be of encouragement to someone.  I am still in awe over his Christmas card list and how many cards he sent out each year.  The time he took to lovingly write and hand address each one, on top of getting them out in a timely fashion would put all of us to shame.  It is true that he kept card makers in business.  If a holiday was celebrated by Hallmark, the grandkids got a card for it.  Those cards were so fun to receive throughout college (always with money enclosed with instructions to go buy an ice cream), married life and even enjoyed by his great grandchildren.  He never missed a birthday, anniversary or holiday.  So to that I must add that he was also a very organized man and loyal friend to so many!

Campa knew to whom all glory and thanks belonged.  He never credited anything to himself, but to God and His goodness and faithfulness to him.  He was always so grateful for everything God had given him and for the care that others faithfully and lovingly gave him in return.  

As I consider each of these qualities and in the manner in which he so lived these out to the fullest, I know that the power to do so did not come from within himself but through his faith and trust in Jesus.  I am so thankful that today Campa is walking, leaping and praising God, and that one day I, and those who place their trust in Jesus as their Savior, will be reunited together again.  Until that day, you will be greatly missed Campa!  We love you!

Five of his great-grandchildren - December 2008

Campa and Emma - May 2005