In Memoriam : Stephen Fischer
Stephen William Fischer - age: 79
(October 21, 1944 to March 19, 2024 ) Resident of Visalia, California Visitation Information: Graveside will take place on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Exeter District Cemetery. Obituary: Stephen William Fischer was born on October 22, 1944, in Visalia, California. Steve was one of seven children born to Theodore (Ted) and Gertrude Fischer. He grew up in Visalia and attended George McCann Elementary and Redwood High School, where he graduated in 1962. He began dating Gloria Edmiston at the age of 17 and they were married on November 24, 1965. Steve and Gloria's families were longtime friends who vacationed and had a card club together. After they married, Steve obtained a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry and dairy processing, from Fresno State University. He worked in the dairy industry at various plants until he started working for Sunkist Growers Juice Processing Plant in Tipton, California. Steve was very intelligent and while at Sunkist, he engineered and constructed a juice debittering system, which is still in use to this day. He even traveled to foreign countries to assist them in setting up juice processing systems. He retired from Sunkist after working there for 30 years. Trains were a lifelong passion of Steve’s. He had his first train layout at the age of 10. He laughingly said, "it didn't last long" with six siblings in the house. During his first Christmas with Gloria, he asked for a locomotive from Tom's Trains in Fresno, where he frequently went to dream about his new hobby. In the early 1990's, he began a construction project on their Tulare home to include a second story train room measuring 24 x 48 ft. The train room became a 30-year project of a very large HO train layout. This epic layout included mountainous terrain, trees, logging mills, towns, handmade trees, hand painted scenery, and buildings. Steve was president of the Visalia Electric Railroad Modelers and attended the train club meetings in Selma as well. He developed many wonderful friendships with fellow train enthusiasts. Many travels included trips to see trains, train shows, or train museums. Traveling was one of Steve and Gloria’s favorite things to do together. They traveled to many locations including Australia, Tahiti, South America, Europe, and all over the United States. He was the designated trip coordinator, RV driver, and photographer. Many family campouts were filled with kids, grandkids, dogs, walks on the beach, campfires, BBQ's and always building some train scenery in the shade of the RV. Steve loved to collect souvenir art and statuary on their travels. He was an avid gardener, known for his tasty tomatoes, roses, and succulents. Steve loved the Lord, Gloria, his kids, grandkids, popcorn, and his faithful sidekick and walking buddy, Bailey. Steve went home to heaven on Tuesday March 19, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 58 years, Gloria. In addition, he is survived by their three children Stephanie and Mark York of Hanford, CA. Sandi and Robert Van Hooser of Nampa, ID., and Allen Fischer of Eugene, OR. Steve is also survived by seven grandchildren; Evan, Alexandra, Elana, Kaley, Landon, Erica, Christian, and one great-grandchild, Billy. His surviving siblings include Brothers Paul and Don Fischer and Sister Helen Jones. Although we are saddened to say goodbye for now, we rejoice knowing he is celebrating in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
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Rocky Loop - March 25, 2024  Contact this person
Stephen was a good friend in school. We grew up in the same area. We have not kept in touch thru the years, but were a close group back then. Both of us were real active in future farmers. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Always Rocky Loop
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