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Theo O. Fisher was born in Melbourne, Australia, and was a graduate of the College of the Bible in Melbourne. He emigrated to the United States in 1937 and graduated from Butler University with BSL, BA, and MA degrees. In 1954, Butler University conferred the honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree upon him. Dr. Fisher served as a chaplain with the US Air Force during World War II, serving in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan. He later served as chairman of the Military and Veterans Service Committee of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In 1957, at the invitation of the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force, he participated in a Preaching Mission to air bases in Europe. He began his ministry with Northwood Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1939. During his ministry, the church membership grew from 363 to over 1,800 members. After 25 years at Northwood, Dr. Fisher resigned his pastorate. During 1965, he was a member of the Senior Common Room and student at Mansfield College, Oxford University, England. Dr. Fisher then served as senior minister of Monte Vista Christian Church, Albuquerque, NM from 1966 to 1976. After formal retirement in 1976, he served a number of interim ministries in Texas, California, and New Mexico including Los Altos Christian Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, and Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque and Christian Churches in Ruidoso and Las Cruces. He served as President of the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis, the Indiana Convention of Christian Churches, the Indianapolis (Interdenominational) Ministerial Association, the Christian Ministers Association of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis Christian Church Union. He was also Vice President of the Board of Directors of Unified Promotion of Christian Churches and Trustee and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Christian Theological Seminary. He was a guest lecturer at Christian Theological Seminary and a member of the International society of Theta Phi. He served as chairman and member of various state and national church committees. Dr. Fisher was chairman of the Program and Arrangements committee for the World Convention of Churches of Christ held in Toronto, Canada in 1955 and was chairman of the Program and Arrangements Committee for the World Convention, which was held in Endinburgh, Scotland in 1960. He wrote articles for various church periodicals including "World Call," "The Christian," "The Australian Christian" and "Secret Place." Theo Fisher was married to Georgine Cofield Fisher for 61 years. He was the son of Elsie and Alex Fisher of Melbourne, Australia. He had two sisters, Avice Banks and Cooree Fisher; and one brother, Lance Fisher, all living in Melbourne, Australia. There are five children, Karen L. Fisher of Albuquerque, Ted A. Fisher of Los Angeles, CA, Deborah D. Garrison of Albuquerque, Kristin G. Fisher,(infant deceased), and Lisa S. Giombolini of Albuquerque; ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A Memorial Service will be held at Monte Vista Christian Church, (3501 Campus Blvd.) on Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Monte Vista Christian Church 3501 Campus Blvd., Albuquerque, NM 87106.
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