Howard William Fisk

Howard William Fisk, age 93, of La Grande, died Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Serenity Farm, a Haines OR foster care home. A funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande. Private interment will be held later at the Hillcrest Cemetery.

Howard was born March 11, 1916, the son of James Howard and Gertrude (McCullough) Fisk in Enterprise, Oregon. He graduated from Echo High School in 1934. He moved to La Grande in 1937 and on February 22, 1941 married Melba Helen Shepherd in La Grande. She preceded him in death on May 9, 1998.

He was an Oregon State policeman and Game Commission officer for several years before opening and managing the first outdoor store in Eastern Oregon, Fisks' Outdoor Store. In later life he worked as a carpenter and pursued his many activities and hobbies including archery, fishing/hunting, bird watching, golf, oil painting, sculpting and jewelry making. His proudest achievement was leading the effort to "Save the Minam". He testified before a House of Representatives sub-committee in Washington D.C. to request the Minam's preservation. His and others' efforts resulted in the Minam's inclusion in the federally protected Eagle Cap Wilderness area of the Wallowa Mountains.

He had been an Eagle Scout as a young man and continued his support and love of the Scout program as an archery and firearms safety instructor. He served as an Elder in the First Christian Church and was a member of the Elks Lodge.

Survivors include his second wife Violet Fisk; daughters Patricia Cooke of Bend OR and Susan Kreutz of La Grande; five grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; sister Barbara Jordan of Moscow ID; numerous cousins, nieces/nephews, and other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the Alzheimers Association or the Blue Mountain Humane Association in care of Daniels-Knopp.

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