Carmen Carpenter Fisher Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

After 97 extraordinary years in which she illumined the lives of all who were graced to know her, Carmen Carpenter Fisher died on April 26 2019. Days earlier, in a moment of quiet reflection, she encapsulated the essence of her beautiful life: “I always tried to be kind.” And she was. Her foundation was faith, her motivation was love, and her influence for good is as inestimable as it will be eternal. Born in Cedar City on August 3 1921 to Samuel James and Margaret Cutler Carpenter, Carmen was the fourth of five children, and the only girl. Her brothers called her “Bill” and treated her like one of the boys. She was certainly never pampered, and was regularly conscripted by her brothers into adventures (and misadventures), like spelunking in the red hills above Cedar, or “skiing” on old barrel staves down the Canyon. By nature and necessity, she was intrepid, indomitable, and downright funny, all requisites of survival in the Carpenter clan. The Depression devastated her family financially, but her parents never became despondent, and never lost their wit and humor. Carmen fondly recalled fishing trips on Cedar Mountain, and jocular gatherings around the dinner table, with tears of hilarity streaming copiously. She and her brothers were taught to work hard, to believe in themselves while trusting in God, and to live with unimpeachable integrity. From the age of 8, Carmen did what she could to bring in a little extra money to help the family, and by the time she was 16, she was paying for all her personal and school expenses by working as an assistant to the town doctor. She attended High School at what was then the BAC (now SUU), and continued on to complete an Associate’s Degree. Despite working full-time, she was an “A” student, a championship debater, a star of the Dance Team, and the most popular girl in school. In her final year alone she received 17 proposals! One of those suitors was Jay Fisher, who wooed her at the BAC before accepting a Track Scholarship at BYU in 1942. But when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec 6, Jay quit school, persuaded Carmen to marry him on Dec 22, then joined the newly-formed Army Air Corps a week later. He served as a pilot and flight instructor throughout the War, and became a career officer at its conclusion, remaining in active duty through the Korean War, where he was Advisor to the South Korean Air Force, and subsequently, the War in Vietnam. As a military wife, Carmen moved frequently, and was often on her own raising their three children, but wherever they went, for however short the duration, she always created a comfortable and happy home, while contributing significantly to the Church and community. Often she was a pioneer. In Montgomery Alabama, she organized the first Primary. In Fairborn Ohio, as Relief Society President, she spear-headed creative fund-raising projects to build the first LDS chapel in the community. In every assignment in every phase of her life, she manifested an uncanny gift for seeing the good in others and making them feel valued. Her warmth, charm, devotion to truth (and endearing humor) made her unforgettable. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Carmen and Jay built a home in Fruit Heights, Utah, where they remained until Jay’s death in 2011. Their beautiful gardens garnered civic awards, and their doors, as their hearts, were always open, offering a refuge and oasis for extended family, and a welcoming gathering place for friends and neighbors. Carmen was active in state politics (as Vice-President of the Utah Association of Women), in the community (as chairman of the Fourth of July celebrations for Kaysville and Fruit Heights), and in the Church (as a missionary at Temple Square for 7 years, a Gospel Doctrine teacher, and a Counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency). Above all, Carmen was always a friend to anyone in need of an empathetic heart, a listening ear, and an encouraging, even inspiring word. Ralph Waldo Emerson averred, “To leave the world a bit better, to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - that is to have succeeded.” By Emerson’s criteria, Carmen Carpenter Fisher’s life was a stellar success. As her strength waned and mind flickered in her final months, the light within her beautiful soul shone ever more brightly until, at the end, all that remained was love--pure, perfect, transfiguring love that touched everyone within its radiant radius. In her presence, one felt that she was surrounded by angels; now she walks among them. We who are left behind grieve at the loss, but rejoice at the release. Carmen was preceded in death by her husband, Jay, and her eldest son, Ronald. She is survived by a second son, Randal Neil Fisher, and a daughter, Deborah Susannah Fisher, as well as by eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 4th at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 3511 North 180 East, Provo, Utah, where a Viewing will be held prior to services from 9:00 to 10:30 am. Graveside Services will be held Monday, May 6th, at 12:00 pm, at the Cedar City Cemetery, 685 North Main Street, Cedar City, Utah. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.

Carmen Carpenter Fisher

August 3, 1921 - April 26, 2019

Explore

Grief & Healing

Resources

Who We Are

Obituaries

Financing

Plan Ahead

Contact Info