Robert Jerry Fisher

Robert “Bob” Jerry Fisher, 94, husband of Dorothy Jean Fowler Fisher, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 26, 2026. He was born August 24, 1931, in Bemis, Tennessee, to the late Acenah Mills Fisher and Benton Fisher.

Bob was a devoted member of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, where he faithfully served for many years as a greeter and van driver. He also served the Lexington community as a patient transport driver for the American Cancer Society.

As a teenager, Bob was known for his summer adventures, often leaving home to work on river barges, railroads, and ranches as far away as Texas—returning just in time for school to begin. With twelve siblings, it was easy for him to slip away unnoticed. He delighted his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with stories—some possibly tall tales—of those adventures. Bob was also a gifted athlete, playing basketball and football at J.B. Young High School for the Bemis Cats, and proudly claimed to be the first player in school history to kick an extra point when the football program began.

Bemis always held a special place in Bob’s heart. Though his career led him to Kentucky, he returned annually for the Fisher family reunion. His final visit at age 93 was a cherished road trip.

Bob’s lifelong love for railroads and river transport became a distinguished career in transportation and logistics. After high school, he began working at the Frogmore Rail Yard near Bemis with the Illinois Central Railroad. Drafted into the U.S. Army, he served with the Eighth Infantry Division at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he trained as a transportation specialist. Following his service, Bob and Dorothy returned to Tennessee, continuing railroad work and attending the College of Advanced Traffic in Chicago. He later joined Ashland Oil, Inc., working in Ashland, Kentucky, and Columbus, Ohio while continuing his education. He retired as Corporate Traffic and Logistics Manager, leaving behind a close-knit team that continued to check on him decades after retirement. In his retirement Bob enjoyed cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats and was an avid reader and historian.

Above all, Bob’s greatest passion was his family. He shared 74 years of marriage with his high school sweetheart, Dorothy, and the two were truly inseparable—especially in their devoted care for one another in recent years. Bob was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who rarely missed a game, concert, or activity. He coached numerous youth baseball and football teams and was fondly known for his encouraging phrase, “Hang in there.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Donna Fisher Ferrell; son, Craig (Bonnie) Fisher; grandchildren, Katie Ferrell (John) Pinkston, Alison Ferrell (John) Randolph, Kathlyn Bertram (Daniel), and Rob Fisher (Lucy); great-grandchildren, Virginia, John Douglas, Thomas, and Grace Pinkston, and Woods and Sawyer Randolph; sister, Alice Issac; brothers, David (Annette) Fisher and Ken (Susan) Fisher; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Doug Ferrell, and siblings, William Benton Fisher Jr., Nell Jones, Betty Short, Thomas Fisher, Louise Blankenship, George Fisher, Ronald Fisher, Richard Fisher, and Paul Fisher.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to friends, neighbors, and the Pastoral Care ministers at Porter Memorial Baptist Church, especially David Prigge and Bill Crawford, for their prayers, visits, and support.

A private graveside service with full military honors will be held at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky, on May 1 at 12:30 p.m., officiated by Pastor David Prigge.

Memorial contributions may be made to Porter Memorial Baptist Church, 4300 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40515, or the Bemis Historical Society, P.O. Box 9266, Jackson, TN 38314.