He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Fannie Fisher, and his brothers, Sidney and Buddy. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sheila Lafkowitz Fisher and their children, Nicki (Jon), Jeff (Valerie) and Neil (Debbie). Jerry and Sheila have eight grandchildren, Diana (Brennan) Smith, Alyssa and David Levine, Natalie, Casey, Jamie, Zachary and Hannah Fisher. They have two great-grandchildren, Logan and Emmett Smith.
Jerry was born in Charlotte, June 2, 1926. He later became an Eagle Scout. Jerry graduated high school in Dallas, Texas and then enrolled at Texas A & M after earning a swimming scholarship. He enlisted in the Navy with desires of becoming a pilot but became a Fire Control Officer on the seaplane tender ship, the USS Curtis. He attained the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer before his honorable discharge.
Jerry returned to Texas A & M where he lettered in Swimming and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina to start a cardboard and paper recycling company. Jerry later moved to Atlanta where he met and married Sheila. Nicki was born two years later. They all moved to Charlotte in 1956 after Jerry lost the lease on his property. He joined forces with his twin brother Buddy to form United Junk Company. They later changed the name to United Scrap Company. Jerry served on the executive committee of the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel and ultimately became the president of the Southern Chapter in 1976. Jerry sold his half of the business to his brother Buddy in the fall of 1984.
This is when Jerry took to his real calling - golf. Jerry was very competitive in various club levels, Carolinas Golf Association and Carolina PGA events winning multiple titles at the Senior and Super Senior levels. Jerry played in three United States Golf Association Senior Amateur Championships and made match play twice. He also finished 10th in the British Senior Amateur Championship. In 1992, Jerry won the North and South Super Senior Championship. Jerry was also involved with the Carolinas Golf Association as a slope team member and team captain. His last major accomplishment was when he shot his age, 87, on his final golf round in February this year.
Jerry was an incredibly devoted husband, father and friend. He made a positive difference in the lives of all he knew. He will be missed terribly.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 19th at Temple Israel, 5101 Providence Road. Shiva will begin at 7:45 p.m. Monday at the home of his daughter, Nicki Fisher.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The First Tee of Charlotte or your favorite charity.
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