Obituary of Gayle Lester Fisher

Gayle was born on August 18, 1950 at the St Joseph hospital in Dawson Creek, the second of seven children for his parents Earl and Louise Fisher.  He spent his first 10 years living in Dawson Creek before moving to Pouce Coupe due to a house fire. They bought a small house and Earl quickly began to build an addition. 

The family then moved onto a farm on Skunk Lake near Hythe. As winter came, the roads into the farm would drift badly so the family rented a house on a better graded road.  Gayle loved it when the cousins came to visit as the farm they rented was owned by a widow lady who had sheep.  The boys would have a rodeo riding the sheep! Gayle always had an infectious laugh and smile and was always up for an adventure with friends or cousins, which often got him in hot water! 

After the family moved back to the Dawson Creek area, Gayle decided to join the Navy in 1967 when he was 17 years old. In 1969, Gayle got married and soon welcomed his daughter Selena and son Clay. The Navy took Gayle from coast to coast. It was while he was stationed in Halifax that he met Barb and became dad to Mike, and step dad to Suzanne and Marlene. Gayle and Barb soon made their way back to Victoria and were married in 1977. They welcomed Gayleen into their lives in 1979. In 1981, Gayle retired from the Navy and the family moved to Dawson Creek which was home for Gayle.

He worked for many years a gas plant operator. Many Christmases were started at 5 am before he went to work, or, as the kids got older, they had to wait until after lunch when he got home from checking the wells! Because of the ups and downs of the oil industry, Gayle eventually made a career change and went to work doing security at Northern Lights College where he worked until he retired. He was a people person and enjoyed interacting with the staff and students! 

Anyone who knows Gayle knows that he and Barb were not ones to stay in one place very long. Gayleen always jokes that there was no spring cleaning and rearranging furniture growing up, they just moved! Mike and Gayleen counted the places they had lived in their almost 40 years together and guess what, they were very close to 40!
Gayle was eventually blessed with grandkids. He loved babies, and was a wonderful grandpa. He enjoyed watching the boys in their various activities and he enjoyed spoiling them with candy every chance he got!

Gayle enjoyed many hobbies over the years. When the kids were younger it was rodeos and gymkhanas and then it was camping, fishing and woodworking. He loved a good John Wayne movie and most of all he loved western novels, reading on average a book a day!

He loved old classic cars and bought the 1969 Beaumont that Mike has proudly restored and owns today. After moving back to Dawson Creek he enjoyed going to cruise night with Mike and visiting with all the Cruisers and checking out their vehicles. He also spent many hours hanging out in the garage with Mike and the boys while they worked on the new 1969 Camaro project.

In his final year back in Dawson Creek he enjoyed the company of many friends over a game of cards or dinner out. He had a sense of humour like no other and a laugh that could fill the room. He was always willing to do what he could to help someone out. Gayle passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017 in Vancouver, B.C. at the age of 67 years.

Gayle was predeceased by Parents; Earl and Louise, Wife; Barb, Brothers; Wayne and Dean, Son; Clay and Granddaughter; Nicole
 
Gayle is survived by Children; Suzanne (Vince), Marlene (Al), Mike (Cindy), Selena, Gayleen (Glenn), Seven Grandchildren & Eleven Great-Grandchildren, Sisters; Diane (Ken), Val (Wayne), Nancy (Fred), Sandi (Wade) and their families.

A celebration of Gayle’s life was held on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 1:00 pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Pauline Haycock officiated, interment will be held at a later date.

 For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Gayle to the Rotary Manor Resident Council Fund 1121-90 Avenue, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 5A3.

Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium