Ronald Fisher

Ronald Fisher age 101 of Decatur died at his home from complications of heart disease. Born in a house in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta on April 6, 1919, he was just a few weeks shy of his 102nd birthday. He grew up on Adams Street with his parents, Inez Virginia and James Nelson Fisher; sister, Virginia; and three brothers, Glenn, Paul and Jimmy. The family was well loved in the neighborhood, but the Fisher boys were known for their sometimes-mischievous antics. Ronald often recounted an incident when he and his brothers would soap the trolley tracks from Atlanta in front of Agnes Scott College, then climb a tall oak tree. As the trolley would come in, the boys would shake a limb over the electrical wire, causing the trolley to be disconnected to the line. The trolley would then slide back down the hill toward Atlanta. Another memorable story he told occurred during the Great Depression when Ronald’s father, a prominent Atlanta mechanical engineer, purchased a new Cadillac and drove the entire family to San Jose, California, for a magnificent road trip.
Ronald attended Winnona Park School and Decatur High School where he graduated in 1936. He then attended Emory University and North Georgia College, where he met the love of his life, Antoinette “Nettie” King. They married in 1939 and spent 71 happy years together until her death on Christmas Day 2010. Both were active members of Decatur First Baptist Church. Ronald and Nettie purchased their Scott Boulevard home in 1949 before the road was paved. For the rest of their marriage, they lived in this home where they raised three children.
Ronald served in the United States Navy during World War II and was happy to come home after landing Marines on the beach of Nagasaki, five days after the United States dropped the atomic bomb. After the war he began his career as the credit manager of Walthour & Hood, an Atlanta wholesale sporting goods company serving the Southeastern United States. His children had some of the best toys in the neighborhood! After his retirement in 1984, Ronald and Nettie traveled extensively throughout North America, South America and Europe.
In 2014, Ronald moved to Clairmont Place, an independent senior living facility where he renewed old friendships and made many new friends as well. He was well known for his integrity, humility and great sense of humor. The family is deeply grateful to Marilyn Daley and Latoya Henry who were his dedicated and compassionate caregivers.
Ronald is survived by three children: Judy Collins (George) of Concord, Georgia; Linda Strange (Carey) of Huntsville, Alabama; Fred Fisher (Patricia) of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Decatur First Baptist Church in memory of Ronald Fisher. A private graveside service will be held at Decatur Cemetery. A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.