05-02-1918 to 09-09-2019
Linn County News
Published Sept. 11, 2019
In the weeks following Pearl Harbor, as the U.S. prepared to go to war, Lee Fisher enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was hustled through their officer training course – a “90-day wonder,” as they called it. When he passed away this week at age 101, peacefully, in his sleep, he was a wonder of a different sort.
Asked on his 100th birthday how he managed to live to such a remarkable age, Lee replied, “Moderation. In all things.”
Lee was born May 2, 1918, in Pleasanton, Kan., the only son of Ruth and William Fisher. He graduated from Mound City Rural High School in Mound City, Kan., in 1935 as class salutatorian. There is a good chance that he said more in his speech than most of his classmates had heard him say all term long. He was a sweet, thoughtful man who listened more than he spoke – yet, the words he chose to share with the world were always worth hearing.
Lee moved to Colorado in 1937, attending DU and graduating with a B.A. in business administration. He was studying engineering at the Colorado School of Mines when the war broke out. Engineers of Lee’s evident skills were prized by the U.S. Navy, and following his officer’s training at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., they wasted no time sending Ensign Fisher to GM University in Illinois to learn large-scale landing craft engines (they’d eventually play a part in the Normandy Invasion). He was quickly promoted to lieutenant and posted to Pacific Fleet headquarters, Coronado, Calif.
Among his duties were maintenance and logistics, which often took him across the bay to the navy offices in San Diego. It was there he met the love of his life.
Jean Stalnaker was in the secretarial pool; she’d see Lee when he came to meet with one of her bosses.
“She made it so that I’d get her phone number,” said Lee.
She wrote it on a piece of paper, and had one of the guys give it to him. He called her, and they hit it off.
Jean lived in San Diego, in a house overlooking the bay. As Lee told it, “In those days, you took a ferry to get back and forth from Coronado. Either that, or you drove 25 miles down the coast to Imperial Beach and back up the Coronado peninsula to get to the base.” Lee would laugh to think of the times he stayed a bit too long pitching woo on Jean’s front porch, only to find himself making that long drive back to his quarters.
He may have occasionally missed the ferry, but he surely didn’t miss the boat. In September 1944 he saved up his gas rations, and he and Jean headed for Las Vegas. There, in the Little White Wedding Chapel, they were married. They remained so for 66 happy years, until Jean passed in 2010.
Lee’s first job post-war was for Sears, in Santa Monica. His boss left a lot to be desired. “Everything that went wrong was my fault, including things he did wrong.” His mom’s cousin put him in touch with a gasoline distributor in Oceanside, and he and Jean moved south. That was more to his liking, and he began learning the trade. When he was given the opportunity to take over the Ace Hi Service Station in Wheat Ridge, Colo., he jumped at it. He survived early gas wars – the prices dropped to pennies per gallon! – and countless giveaway promotions of steak knives, matching tumblers and kiddie toys. He built a reputation for honesty and mechanical skill, earning a loyal clientele that served him well, until his retirement in 1973.
Lee and Jean kept a cabin in Evergreen, Colo., roaming through the woods with one of a series of beloved bulldogs. He honed his talents as a woodworker, making furniture and toys for his nephews’ children and his godsons. His favorite hobby was restoring classic Thunderbirds; he had three over the years, which made those grown-up nephews and godsons incredibly jealous.
Lee was a remarkable man. He radiated sweetness, warmth and good humor. His words were few. His impact on those lucky enough to know him, immeasurable. He will be deeply mourned and greatly missed.
Lee is survived by niece Laura, nephew Neil Stalnaker (Nancy), nephew Mike Pitts (Ann), and fondly remembered by godsons Sean and Schuyler Cayton.
Visitation is 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16. Services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17. Both are at Crown Hill Mortuary, 7777 West 29th, Wheat Ridge, Colo. The service will be held in the Tower of Memories, where he’ll be laid to rest.
OBITUARIES
Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

Linn County News Published June 4, 2025 Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]
Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]
Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]
More Obituaries
- John Ted Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025
- Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025
- Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Paul Dean Benham ~ 09-23-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025
- Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025
- Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]
Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present. Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]
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- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
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- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]
School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

