James H. Fiser

James Herbert Fiser, (92), born November 15, 1922 in Morrilton, Ark., died Thursday, January 29, 2015. He grew up in Morrilton and attended Arkansas Tech before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on December 9, 1941. He became a pilot, flying bombers off of aircraft carriers in the Pacific Ocean. He married Betty May Sallis of Russelville, Ark., on July 6, 1943, and they honeymooned along the route to his pilot training in Massachusetts. After WWII ended, he remained in the Naval Reserves until he retired as Captain in 1964. He completed his undergraduate and master's degrees at the University of Arkansas. Jamie and Betty raised their two children in Arkansas, Texas, Indiana and Michigan as he worked in education, manufacturing plant management, and sales. They moved to Memphis in 1973, where he said he could "look across the river to the Promised Land." Jamie is survived by his wife of more than 71 years, Betty; their son, James Michael Fiser of Ashland, Miss.; daughter B.J. (Fiser) Jones (Chip) of Roswell, Ga.; grandchildren, Oliver Jones (Ashley) of Canton, Ga.; Andrew Jones of Edinburgh, Scotland; and Maggie Jones of Athens, Ga.; and great-grandsons, Owen and Eli Jones of Canton, Ga. These few biographical words do little to represent the beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grand and great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, teacher, citizen and man of faith that Jamie was; he will be deeply missed. Visitation is Monday, February 2, 2015 at 10 a.m. with memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. at Germantown United Methodist Church, 2331 S. Germantown Road, Germantown, TN 38138. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to GUMC, (address above) to either the Elder Care or Room in the Inn ministries. Private family burial will be held at a later date in Morrilton, Ark. Arrangements under the Direction of Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave., Memphis, Tenn.