Colonel Carl Byrd Fisher Sr

Colonel Carl Byrd Fisher Sr., (U.S. A.F. Ret.)95, died Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at his residence. He was born in Andrews, NC. He was the son of the late James Oscar Fisher and Hattie Love Fisher. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Oscar “J. O.” Fisher, one son,James Michael Fisher and his wife of 67 years, Mary Byles Fisher.

Carl graduated Brevard College, received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from N.C. State and earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Carl had a distinguished military career including the U.S. Army Calvary Reserve, U.S. Army Air Corps. Signal Corps, and Royal Air Force 1942. He was 2 D-Day minus one survivor for which he received the Bronze Star. He received the Legion of Merit and the Air Force Commendation Medals. He retired as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

His civilian career included serving as technical director of the Airways Modernization Board, and was the first technical director of the Bureau of Research and Development, Federal Aviation Agency. He was Assistant to the President of the Autometics Division of North American Aviation,director of the advanced development and planning section of the Budd Information Science center in Arlington, and Manager of the Arizona Systems Center of Philco Ford Corporation’s Communication and Electronics Division in Tucson, Arizona.

The latter part of his working life he became a land developer, real estate broker, and custom home builder, developing the western Flat Rock communities of Woodhaven and Pleasant Hill. Carl was an amazing man who was friendly and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a caring, loving father, husband, and grandfather.

He is survived by one son, Carl Byrd Fisher, Jr. of Flat Rock. Two grandsons: Anderson Fisher of Charlotte, and Dr. Taylor F. Fisher and his wife Dr. Laurie Fisher of Chapel Hill;One granddaughter, Elizabeth Fisher Burleson and her husband, Wesley, of Charlotte. He is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Marie Fisher of Chapel Hill.

A memorial service to celebrate Carl’s life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 1, 2016 in the St. George Chapel of St. James Episcopal Church, Hendersonville, of which he was a member.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.