Joseph Lawrence "Larry" Fischer

Joseph Lawrence “Larry” Fischer was born on April 12, 1947 in Carlsbad, NM and grew up on the family farm on Calvani Road. The family moved to Mission, Texas in 1955, continued to farm, and then returned to New Mexico in 1964. Upon graduation from Carlsbad Senior High School in 1965, Larry enlisted in the USAF and was stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington and later at Hickam AFB in Honolulu, Hawaii. He often joked that if he told you what he did, he would have to shoot you. Coincidentally, while in Hawaii, his brother William, with the U.S. Navy, was also stationed in the same building near Larry’s secure area. 

Larry was honorably discharged after 2 ½ years and returned to New Mexico where he attended NMSU in Carlsbad and Las Cruces for several years, studying Agricultural Business. He subsequently worked various jobs in Iowa, Arizona, and Texas for a number of years. Upon returning to Carlsbad, he worked at the Otis Cotton Gin and subsequently for several area farmers as a tractor driver and irrigator for many years.

His last employment, for 17 years until he retired in January 2020, was with Bar W Farms owned by Gary & Steve Walterscheid. Larry often spoke of his appreciation for Gary and Steve. As his health was beginning to deteriorate, he found solace and assistance for the last 18 months of his life at the Carlsbad Community Hope Center (CCHC). He began regularly attending church and daily bible study. He died at University Medical Center, in Lubbock, Texas on Dec. 22, 2021.

Larry lived his life as a single man. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Angeline Jentgen Fischer, brothers: Edward “Buddy” Fischer, Virgil Fischer, Raymond Fischer and sisters: Mary Ann Ballard, Jeanette Verhines (Connell), Rita Kezar. His brother William Fischer of El Paso, Texas recently passed away. Larry is survived by: brothers: Kenny (Lavonne) Fischer of Waverly, Iowa, Johnny Fischer of San Antonio, Texas, David (Arlene) Fischer of Captain Cook, Hawaii, and sisters: Loretta Sughrue of Carlsbad, Texas, Geri (Ernie) Burrhus of Bullard Texas. He is also survived by very many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial Services for Larry will be June 23, 10:00 A.M. at Saint Edwards Church in Carlsbad, New Mexico with interment of ashes to follow at the family plot in Carlsbad Cemetery, officiated by Fr. Dennis Connell, Larry’s nephew. The Fischer family is truly thankful to everyone in Carlsbad who helped Larry in his final years to include, Robert and Patricia Jacquez of CCHC, the James Walterscheid family, and many others too numerous to mention. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CCHC, 1314 South Canal Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 (Online address: www.hopenm.org).