John Freeman Risher

John attended Florida State University and was a member of the Varsity Swim Team. John began his telephone career with Stromberg-Carlson in Tampa, FL. Later he joined the engineering department of Peninsular Telephone Company, which merged with General Telephone Company of Florida in the late 50s. John retired as a Systems Engineer after 39 years in 1993.

John was a member of the F.S.U. Varsity Club and the Seminole Booster Club. He was also a Past Distinguished President of the Winter Haven Kiwanis Club, a Chairman of the District Committee for International Understanding for Kiwanis Club of Florida. John was a Master Mason of 57 years, currently serving as Senior Warden of Winter Haven Masonic Lodge No. 186. He was also a member of Scottish Rite Valley of Tampa. John was currently serving on the Winter Haven Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committee (MTAC). John was a life member of the B.P.O.E. Elks and also an Alumni of Leadership Winter Haven.

John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Donaldson Risher, formerly of Tampa, FL, whom he met at F.S.U, his daughter, Lisa Risher Moore, of Tampa, FL, and was blessed with a family of friends who meant so much to him and brought joy to his life.

There will be a visitation and time to remember John held on Thursday, Dec. 3rd, from 5 to 8 pm at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 5th, at 2:30 pm at Myrtle Hill Garden of Memories in Tampa.

The family is not requesting flower, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice, or you can just remember John with loving fondness and share your memories of him.