Franklin George Fisher Jr.

August 13, 1933 – July 29, 2020

Franklin George Fisher, Jr. was born on August 13, 1933, to the late Franklin George Fisher, Sr., and Flossie McGlothin Fisher in Paris, TX. His early childhood was spent in Waco, TX with his older brother, Theodis, and his younger siblings, Jessie Mae and Billy Joe. By the 6th grade the family moved to Sandusky, OH, where Franklin (affectionately known as “George Jr.”) attended junior high and high school, graduating from Sandusky High School in 1951. With a keen interest in math and science, Franklin enrolled in Prairie View A&M College of Texas and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. An active member of the ROTC, he was also commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army upon graduation.

In 1956 Franklin married Alice R. Squire, and that union produced two daughters, Sondra Gayle and Debra Renee’. Franklin started his engineering career at the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., but quickly moved to California to establish a successful career in the aerospace industry, working for such major companies as Aerojet General Corp., McDonnell-Douglas, Inc., and TRW Systems, Inc. His significant accomplishments at TRW includes redesign of the space craft engines to safely return the Apollo 11 astronauts from the moon.

With a lifelong passion for learning and academic excellence, Franklin earned several post-graduate degrees, including a Master of Science in Systems Management, a Master of Public Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.), all from the University of Southern California (USC). He served as an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in Management, Research and Systems Analysis courses at USC, and later graduate level courses in Marketing and Statistics at Georgetown University.

Franklin was “living the California dream” in the 60’s and 70’s, enjoying fast sports cars, jazz clubs and service to his fraternity – Alpha Phi Alpha. He was also active in community organizations to expand voter registration and fight housing discrimination. Franklin’s second marriage took place in the LA area to the late Dorothy Jacoway Hogan and he became a father to Dorothy’s two daughters – Catherine and Pamela. And through a chance workplace encounter with his younger brother Billy, Franklin and his parents were reunited with his step-sisters – Leola Hendrix and Janie Williams, who had also moved to the LA area.

After serving as the Director of Sociotechnical Research for Ultrasystems, Inc. (Irvine, CA) Franklin moved to Washington, DC in 1978 as a Manager for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. directing the activity of other consultants on complex transportation, energy and various other sociotechnical studies. His professional career in the DC area included senior level positions at Opportunity Funding Corporation, Technassociates, Inc., the Maxima Corporation, and OAO Corporation. In 1987, Franklin founded Applied System Technologies, Inc. (ASTI), an engineering and professional services firm that he ran until his retirement. His business projects allowed him to travel extensively to Europe (the UK, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Portugal), China, Africa, Canada, and the Caribbean. He also served as an instructor for many church- sponsored Vacation Bible School programs in Saint Maarten. During his residence in Virginia, Franklin was an active member of the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, faithfully serving as the Director of Educational Activities and directing the chapter’s Scholarship Programs. In 2016 he was honored for 50 years of service from the Alpha’s national organization.

Franklin’s move to the DC area enabled him to meet “the love of his life and helpmate” – Sandra Turner Bond – and they were joined in holy matrimony in 1990. As his wife of 30 years, Sandra shared his passion for art, cooking, music, and travel, but most of all his love of the Lord and his service to his church congregations. Franklin was rebaptized at Christ Fellowship Church, where he was ordained as a Deacon and an Elder. He later joined Faith Mission Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee and Elder, and later became a member of Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as an Elder, Trustee and Bible Study teacher. Upon moving to CA in 2016, he and his wife first worshiped with Centinela Valley Church of Christ (Los Angeles, CA) and later became faithful members of Second Baptist Church (Santa Ana, CA). His disciplined study of the Word of God and his willingness to share his testimony with everyone revealed his deep and abiding faith in our Lord, Savior and Redeemer – Jesus Christ.

After suffering a stroke in June, Franklin had a peaceful transition and went home to be with the Lord on July 29th, surrounded by his wife and daughters. In addition to his wife, Sandra, and his daughters, Sondra Fisher and Debra Fisher-Haymon, he is survived by his son-in-law Ricky Haymon, his brother, Billy Joe Fisher, his sister-in-law Kathryn C. Turner, his step-daughters Catherine Hogan and Pamela Hogan, his nephews Peter Fisher (Cathy) and Kenyatta Jenkins, his niece Angie Muhammad, his grandson Ajamu Adams, his great-grand-children Sariah LaFourche and Ajamu Axton Adams, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, business associates, Alpha brothers, Prairie View alumni and friends across the country and around the world.

No funeral service will be held due to the pandemic. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to Second Baptist Church of Santa Ana, CA (https://sbc.family/) or to Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Herndon, VA (http://beaconhillchurch.net/). A memorial service and celebration of his life is planned for 2021.

TRIBUTES FROM HIS DAUGHTERS

“Dad. The Man. The Myth. The Legend.”

By Sondra G. Fisher

Dad, on our last Father’s Day together, I bought you a T-Shirt with a slogan that epitomizes who you are to me.

Dad

You were a great Dad, a giant in my eyes both literally and figuratively. There was never ever a doubt that you loved me and were happy to be my father. You proved that over and over again. You exhibited everything that a daughter would want from a father. You didn’t do anything unusual, you just did the things you were supposed to do, because you loved me.

I love you, the Dad you are.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

The Man

You took us along on life’s journey with you through the ups and downs, the lessons you learned and the growth that came from those lessons. You were the consummate teacher and example. From you I learned to be loyal, to be patient and to be dependable. Watching you become a better man helped me understand and learn to be a better woman.

I love you, the Man you are.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

The Myth

You are and will always be my hero. You didn’t save me from the ways of the world, but you helped me and taught me how to work and pray through them. You challenged me to think and reason. You also taught me how to enjoy life the way you did, with travel, good food, great jazz and blues music, fellowship with family & friends and to have laugh out loud fun.

I love you, the Myth you are.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:14

The Legend

Larger than life, intelligent beyond measure, funnier than most, and a true example of a God-fearing Man. You wanted to travel into space, but instead helped the first man walk on the moon. You feared nothing earthly and unabashedly shared the spiritual truths and your love of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers beware!

I love you, the Legend you will always be.

Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. - Mark 12:30

My Father, My Hero

By Debra Fisher-Haymon

My father...

A beautiful soul has been taken to go be with our Lord. My father Franklin George Fisher Jr. My father, a vibrant, eloquent, brilliant, strong, loving and God-fearing man, who I will miss immensely, left this earth on July 29th. My heart aches, my mind in a spinning loop of thoughts and memories of my father. Tears flowing on and off throughout the day. I know, I know time will heal a broken heart, but time will never slow or stop the love I have for that man called my father, my hero.

In the words of Maya Angelou...

A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.