James "Rick" Richard Fisher

In Loving Memory of Rick Fisher

James Richard “Rick” Fisher, 72, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Rick was born in 1954 in Buncombe County to Joan Fisher and the late James D. Fisher. He spent many years working for Carolina Power & Light Company, but to his family, Rick was so much more than the job he went to everyday.

Rick was a patient and loving man who was proud of his family beyond words. He didn’t need to give long speeches or tell people how to live their lives. He taught by the way he lived. His family watched him love, work, help others, and show up when he was needed. He led by example and was, in every sense of the word, a role model.

He loved camping and fishing. He enjoyed playing cards and spending time with the people he loved. And, perhaps one of the most Rick things of all, he was perfectly happy to sit in the car and wait while Debbie went shopping. Those simple, everyday moments are the memories that will mean the most now.

Rick was a devoted husband to his wife, Debbie for 53 years. Together they built a life and a family filled with love, memories, laughter, and countless stories that will continue to hold the family up during their time of grief.

Rick was preceded in death by his son, Andy Fisher, and his sister, Brenda Wilkie. He leaves behind his wife, Debbie; his mother, Joan Fisher; daughters, Libby Smallwood (Jay) and Lindsay Gantt (Chad); grandchildren, Hunter (Rylee), Autumn, Blaike (Aaron), Raigan, Mckinley, Sawyer, Elliott, Sully, Becca, Hope (Chase), Hailey, and Jayson; and great-grandchildren, Kentlee, Jack, Thoren, and Ava.

There will be an empty place at the table, an empty spot around the campfire, and a thousand little moments when someone will think of Rick.

His family will miss his stories, his patience, his helping hands, his quiet strength, and simply having him there.

We were blessed to have him, and although we weren’t ready to say goodbye, we will carry him with us in everything we do.

Visitation held on Friday, August 14th beginning at 9:00 A.M with the funeral at 11:00 A.M., at Enka Baptist Church, 1310 Sandhill Road, Biltmore Lake, NC 28715 with Pastor Ron Brown officiating. Burial immediately following at Pisgah View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Dissection research.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting the family.