Joseph P. "Pat" Fischer

Joseph Patrick Fischer passed away on February 20, 2024, at the age of 67 at his home in Quitman, Texas. Pat was born on May 20, 1956, in Dallas, Texas, to his parents, Joseph Frederick and Marilyn Fischer.

Pat grew up in Duncanville, Texas and graduated from Duncanville High School in 1974. He attended the University of North Texas in Denton and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance & Investments in 1978. Upon graduation, Pat began his banking career at Republic National Bank of Dallas as a Tax Accountant in the Trust Department. He worked throughout multiple Bank reorganizations and mergers, until it officially became Bank of America.    He retired in 2009, after 31 years of service, as a Vice-President of the Bank.

In 1981, Pat met his future wife, Gayle Yates, when she also began working at the Bank. The couple were married on July 6th, 1985 and began their life together. They had two children, Amy and Brian, and raised their family in Forney, Texas.

Pat was an avid outdoorsman, and greatly enjoyed both fishing and hunting. His favorite place to go was Port Aransas, so he could surf fish on the Texas Coast, where many years of family vacations took place. He also loved all sports, including horse racing, and was a dedicated fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Stars. In recent years, he obtained fractional ownership in over 40 racehorses and loved watching them race.

Pat and Gayle dreamed of living on the lake after retirement, and in 2018 they moved to Lake Quitman, where he enjoyed daily fishing from their dock. He was proud to earn several fishing records on Lake Quitman and share his love of fishing with all. Since retirement, Pat has also enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the stock market and investments with family and friends. In 2021, Pat became a grandfather and earned a new title of “Pawpaw”.

Pat is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Frederick Fischer and Marilyn Cooper Fischer, and in-laws, Gerald Dean Yates and Margaret Yates Miller.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 39 years, Gayle Fischer of Quitman; two children, Amy Johnson and husband, David, of Grand Saline, TX, and Brian Fischer and wife, Zasha, of Rockwall, TX; two grandchildren, Parker and Bowie Fischer; siblings, Charles Fischer and wife, Gay, of Ovilla, TX, and Robin Manley and husband, Monty, of San Antonio, TX; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and many friends.

Funeral services honoring the life of Pat Fischer will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Lowe-Gardner Funeral Home with Reverend Jerry D. Griffin officiating. Graveside service will follow at Quitman Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home, prior to the service.