Eddie Fisher obit

Eddie Fisher Obituary

 

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Eddie Gene Fisher, beloved resident of Altus, Oklahoma, passed away on February 17, 2025, after a brief illness, at the age of eighty-eight. A man of unwavering faith, boundless passion, and enduring love, Eddie leaves behind a legacy of kindness, dedication, and joy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.

Born on July 16, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to J.T. and Louise Fisher, Eddie's life was a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. At a very early age, he moved with his family to Friendship, Oklahoma, where he grew up and graduated from high school in 1954. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Betty Hudgens, in April 1955.

Fisher earned All-State honors and won a state baseball championship while at Friendship. A gifted athlete, Eddie earned a baseball and basketball scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, earning All-Big 7 honors before graduating in 1958. He signed a professional baseball contract with the San Francisco Giants and made his Major League debut on June 22, 1959.

Known as a top knuckleball pitcher over the course of his 15-year career, Eddie played for several Major League teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, California Angels, and St. Louis Cardinals. He was voted onto the 1965 American League All-Star team pitching two scoreless innings The same year he was also honored by

American Legion Baseball as their Man of the Year. His time with the Baltimore Orioles was particularly memorable, winning the World Series in 1966. Throughout his baseball career, Eddie also owned and operated Eddie Fisher's Southwest Oklahoma Baseball Camp. This was a labor of love in an effort to give back to his community and help boys from across the region learn and love the sport.

After retiring from baseball in 1973, Eddie returned to Oklahoma, where he began a successful second career in banking serving as President of First Federal Savings and Loan. He was the proud owner of Sports World, a sporting goods shop, before joining the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, where he managed golf operations as the State Director until his retirement in the late '90s. Eddie was elected to the University of Oklahoma Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. He was also active in the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association,

Eddie was a man of many passions. He was an active member of the Elks Golf & Country Club and Woodmen of the World. A member of the First Methodist Church in Altus for over sixty years, Eddie lived his faith through service, love, and generosity. He was an avid golfer, a skilled hunter, and a passionate fisherman. He also had a knack for finding the best online deals, a hobby that brought him much joy.

Above all, Eddie cherished his family. He took immense pride in the life he built and the legacy he leaves behind though his loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.T. and Louise Fisher. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Betty, of the home; his son, Larry Fisher, and wife Vickie; his daughters, Pam Lane and husband Richard, Kelly Hinton and husband Howard, and Jill van Egmond and husband Will; his sister, Nancy Smith, and husband Larry; his brother-in-law, Bill Hudgens; and his sister-in-law, Patty Greer, and husband Darrell. Eddie's legacy also lives on through his eight grandchildren, Jennifer Dye and husband Adam, Thomas Lane and wife Brianne, Taylor Lane, Jeffrey Henry and wife Britnee, Blake Henry, Rachel Newsom, Kate van Egmond, and Eddie van Egmond; his great-grandchildren, Ellie, Davis, and Millie Dye, Sawyer and Parker Lane, and Brooks and Nora Mae Henry; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends; and his beloved dog, Evie.

The Fisher family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the First Methodist Church in Altus, with Reverend Jerry Raab officiating.

Eddie Fisher's life was a beautiful tapestry of faith, family, and service. His memory will forever be a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in eternal peace, rejoicing in the presence of his Lord and Savior

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Fisher played for collegiate baseball for three seasons for the Oklahoma Sooners. Fisher led Pacific Coast League pitchers with 239 innings while playing for the Tacoma Giants in 1960. His minor league record from 1958 to 1961 was 47–28 (.627) with a 3.23 ERA in 93 games (632 innings pitched).

Fisher's best pitch was the knuckleball, and in 1963–1966 he worked out of the White Sox bullpen with fellow flutterball specialist Hoyt Wilhelm.

Fisher started just 63 out of the 690 games he appeared in, and completed 7 of those, two for shutouts. He is better-known, however, for his effective relief work.

In Fisher's 15-year career, 1965 stands out as his best season. He was named to the American League All-Star team and finished 4th in the MVP voting. He pitched the final two innings of the 1965 All-Star Game for the AL, holding the National League scoreless on one hit. He retired Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Ron Santo in order in the top of the ninth.

Fisher led the league that season in WHIP (0.974), games pitched (82), and games finished (60), and was second in earned run average (2.40) and saves (24). His 15–7 record gave him a winning percentage of .682, which ranked fourth. The White Sox finished in second place that year with a record of 95–67.

He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on June 13, 1966, and helped them win the American League pennant. In 44 appearances for the O's he was 5–3 with 13 saves and a 2.64 ERA in 712⁄3 innings. Baltimore won the 1966 World Series, although Fisher did not appear in any of the four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jim Palmer, Wally Bunker, and Dave McNally all pitched complete games, and the team needed only one relief appearance, provided by Moe Drabowsky.

Fisher spent the 1968 season with the Alvin Dark-managed Cleveland Indians after being acquired along with minor leaguers Johnny Scruggs and Bob Scott from the Orioles for John O'Donoghue and Gordon Lund on November 28, 1967. He later pitched for the California Angels. He was released by the Cardinals on October 26, 1973.

Career totals include a record of 85–70 with 81 saves. In 15382⁄3 innings pitched he had 812 strikeouts, an ERA of 3.41, and a low 1.193 WHIP. He had a lifetime batting average of just .122 (30-for-246), but did once have three hits in a game, on September 19, 1960, vs. the Chicago Cubs. He currently ranks 92nd on the MLB All-Time Games Pitched List (690) and 72nd on the MLB All-Time Games Finished List (344).

Fisher was selected the 1965 Sporting News Reliever of the Year.