Lewis J Fish

Lewis J Fish, 87, of St. George, Utah passed from this mortal existence Wednesday, September 24, 2014, after battling cancer at the VA Care Center in Ivins, Utah. He was born 27 September 1926, to Jesse Lewis Fish and Lucile Cottam in St. George, Utah. He grew up on a farm near Toquerville called Anderson Ranch where he learned to work. He was the oldest of eight children. He had six sisters: Elsie (Sherman) Nay of Brigham City, Utah, Beatrice (Leo deceased) Folsom of Roseburg, Oregon, Zelda (Dale) DeMille of Cedar City, Utah, Julie (Laron) Wilson of St. George, Utah, Elaine (Wendell deceased) Walton of Provo, Utah, Mary Lue (Richard) Payton of Yukon, Oklahoma. He had one brother: Melvin (Gwena) Fish of Cedar City, Utah. He was a man who loved the Lord, his wife, his family and his fellow men. He graduated from Utah State University with a BS in history and an MFA in Education, but never stopped learning. He passed this joy of school to his children. He enjoyed working, gardening, hunting, fishing, scouting, and operating a ham radio. He retired from four different vocations: a teacher, a trainer and mentor of Tribal leaders, a magnetic engineer, and a building inspector. He volunteered at a local elementary school as a reading coach. Lewis always had an attitude of “I can do that.” He built many projects including a deer antler lamp, a computer, a ham radio, two homes, and a boat. He wasn’t afraid of technology and passed on his love of new gadgets to his children. He raised his family in Brigham City and worked at Intermountain Indian School. He had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and lived the life of a missionary everyday in actions and deeds, as well as serving five formal missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Bullhead- South Dakota, Tulsa- Oklahoma, Bellevue- Washington, genealogy consultant, and a Stake Missionary in Toquerville- Utah. He fulfilled many church callings, served as a Scoutmaster for over 25 years, and was awarded the Silver Beaver. Lewis joined the army and served as a paratrooper and a mechanic in WWII. He was one of the first troops on the ground in Japan after the bomb was dropped, and felt like his life was preserved by the hand of the Lord. He loved serving his country and taught his family patriotism. Lewis married Elizabeth "Betty" Slack on 8 January 1945 in Pioche, Lincoln, Nevada. They were later sealed in the St. George, Utah temple on 25 May 1945. They had four daughters: Carolyn, Jessie, Lorna, and Yvonne Fish. And they had two sons: Steven and Ronald Fish. His family was very important to him. Lewis married Mary Margaret Gibson O'Mara on 29 Sep 2007 in St. George, Washington County, Utah. They were later sealed on 26 Jun 2010 in the St. George, Utah temple. Mary has five children from her previous marriage. They are four daughters: Lisa, Coleen, Dannette, Pamela O'Mara, and her son, Daniel O'Mara. Lewis loves them as his own. With the two families combined, Lewis and Mary have 11 children, 56 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. Lewis was preceded in death by his wife Betty (2 December 2006) and his sons Ronald Slack Fish (6 May 1979) and Steven Lewis Fish (5 June 1990), by his grandson Nicholas Bontz (8 Sep 2011) and by his sister, Elsie Nay (26 April 2013). Lewis is survived by his second wife Mary Margaret Fish. He is also survived by Mary and Daniel George O’Mara’s children: Lisa Louise O'Mara of Dunedin, Florida, Colleen Teresa O'Mara (Michael) White of Newport Richey, Florida, Dannette Michelle O'Mara Scholet of Dunedin, Florida, Pamela Anne O'Mara of St. George, Utah, and Daniel Jacob (Charmain DiNatale) O'Mara of Washington, Utah. He is also survived by his daughters Carolyn (Jim) Capps of Austin, Texas, Jessie Lou (Scott) Datwyler of Smithfield, Utah, Lorna (Steven) Park of Kaysville, Utah, Yvonne (Kim) Spendlove of Virgin, Utah. The viewing will be held at Serenity Funeral Home, 1316 S. 400 E. St. George, Utah, on Sunday, September 28th from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. The funeral will be held at the Latter-day Saint Chapel at 879 South River Road at 11:00 A.M. on Monday September 29th with a viewing beforehand at 10:00. In lieu of flowers you may wish to make a donation to the missionary effort of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Interment will be in the Toquerville, Washington, Utah Cemetery. You may share memories and condolences at www.serenityStG.com.

Lewis J Fish

September 27, 1926 - September 24, 2014