White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Alan Rozell Fisher, 89, of Independence, died peacefully on June 4, 2014 at the Buchanan Country Health Center in Independence.

He was born on July 2, 1924 in Independence, the son of Donald V. and Beulah  (Gates) Fisher.  He was a graduate of Independence High School in 1942.  He lettered in basketball, baseball and softball, and later was a team member of American Legion basketball team in the 1950.  He enjoyed retelling the stories of when they won the state tournament 2 years in a row.  He served as radio operator and waist gunner of a B-24 in the Army Air Corps during World War II beginning in June 1943 and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in February 1946.  After his marriage to Darleen Paulus on August 29, 1948, the couple moved to Lakeland, Florida, where Alan attended Florida Southern University.   He returned and gradated from the University of Iowa in 1950, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and began his career at Gates Hardware in Independence.  Alan started the Ace Hardware store in Oelwein in 1957 and retired in 1982.  Since 1953, he spent every summer at the cottage at the Wapsipinicon Golf Course in Independence, living in Oelwein from 1962 to 1979.  Thereafter, he lived full time at the house he and Darleen built on the golf course.  Alan was the superintendent for the course and served as President of the Club, and continued to play golf through 2014, including winters in Phoenix and San Francisco.  Over the years, his collection of golf tournament trophies grew, including Club Champion in 1959 and First Flight Champion in 1992.  He and Darleen traveled extensively, including China, Panama, Mexico, Italy, France, England, and Jamaica.

Alan is survived by is wife of 65 years, Darleen, his son, Brayton (Teresa Ledesma) Fisher, in San Francisco.  Family includes his brother-in-law Bob Cook of Independence, nephews Doug (Lura) Cook in Independence, Scott Cook in Phoenix, Don (Judy) Overland in Clinton, Iowa, Mark Overland in Clarksville, Iowa, nieces Carol Cook in Independence, Vicki Cook in Rochester, Minnesota, Kaaren (Walter) Scorobogaty of Surprise, Arizona, and Barbara Overland Paull of Surprise, Arizona.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald Brayton Fisher (at age 4), his sister Donnice Cook, and a nephew, Captain Mike Overland.

While Alan has been cremated, there will be a visitation at White Funeral Home in Independence, on Sunday, June 8 from 2 PM until 4 PM, and a Celebration of His Life from 4 PM until 6 PM on Monday, June 9, with personal recollections at 5:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be received by White Funeral Home, which the family will use to purchase a bench to be placed on the golf course, commemorating Alan’s long membership at the Wapsipinicon Golf Club, (currently River Ridge), and to Cedar Valley Hospice with great appreciation from the family.  Alan will be greatly missed, and those who knew and loved him will cherish the memory of his interesting life.