Eddie Fisher
Roster Info
| Season | Class | # | Pos | Ht | Wt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 13 | P | |||
| 1957 | |||||
| 1958 | |||||
Personal Info
| First Name: | Eddie |
| Middle Name: | Gene |
| Last Name: | Fisher |
| Common Name: | |
| Nickname: | |
| Hometown: | Altus, OK |
| High School: | Friendship |
| Birth Date/Place: | July 16, 1936 in Shreveport, LA |
| Death Date/Place: | February 17, 2025 in Altus, OK (age 88) |
| Related To*: | |
| Obituary: |
Eddie Gene Fisher, beloved resident of Altus, Oklahoma, passed away on February 17, 2025, after a brief illness, at the age of eighty-eight. A man of unwavering faith, boundless passion, and enduring love, Eddie leaves behind a legacy of kindness, dedication, and joy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.
Born on July 16, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to J.T. and Louise Fisher, Eddie's life was a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. At a very early age, he moved with his family to Friendship, Oklahoma, where he grew up and graduated from high school in 1954. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Betty Hudgens, in April 1955.
Fisher earned All-State honors and won a state baseball championship while at Friendship. A gifted athlete, Eddie earned a baseball and basketball scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, earning All-Big 7 honors before graduating in 1958. He signed a professional baseball contract with the San Francisco Giants and made his Major League debut on June 22, 1959.
Known as a top knuckleball pitcher over the course of his 15-year career, Eddie played for several Major League teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, California Angels, and St. Louis Cardinals. He was voted onto the 1965 American League All-Star team pitching two scoreless innings The same year he was also honored by American Legion Baseball as their Man of the Year. His time with the Baltimore Orioles was particularly memorable, winning the World Series in 1966. Throughout his baseball career, Eddie also owned and operated Eddie Fisher's Southwest Oklahoma Baseball Camp. This was a labor of love in an effort to give back to his community and help boys from across the region learn and love the sport.
After retiring from baseball in 1973, Eddie returned to Oklahoma, where he began a successful second career in banking serving as President of First Federal Savings and Loan. He was the proud owner of Sports World, a sporting goods shop, before joining the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, where he managed golf operations as the State Director until his retirement in the late '90s. Eddie was elected to the University of Oklahoma Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. He was also active in the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, Eddie was a man of many passions. He was an active member of the Elks Golf & Country Club and Woodmen of the World. A member of the First Methodist Church in Altus for over sixty years, Eddie lived his faith through service, love, and generosity. He was an avid golfer, a skilled hunter, and a passionate fisherman. He also had a knack for finding the best online deals, a hobby that brought him much joy.
Above all, Eddie cherished his family. He took immense pride in the life he built and the legacy he leaves behind though his loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.T. and Louise Fisher. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Betty, of the home; his son, Larry Fisher, and wife Vickie; his daughters, Pam Lane and husband Richard, Kelly Hinton and husband Howard, and Jill van Egmond and husband Will; his sister, Nancy Smith, and husband Larry; his brother-in-law, Bill Hudgens; and his sister-in-law, Patty Greer, and husband Darrell. Eddie's legacy also lives on through his eight grandchildren, Jennifer Dye and husband Adam, Thomas Lane and wife Brianne, Taylor Lane, Jeffrey Henry and wife Britnee, Blake Henry, Rachel Newsom, Kate van Egmond, and Eddie van Egmond; his great-grandchildren, Ellie, Davis, and Millie Dye, Sawyer and Parker Lane, and Brooks and Nora Mae Henry; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends; and his beloved dog, Evie.
The Fisher family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the First Methodist Church in Altus, with Reverend Jerry Raab officiating.
Eddie Fisher's life was a beautiful tapestry of faith, family, and service. His memory will forever be a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in eternal peace, rejoicing in the presence of his Lord and Savior.
* Other OU athletes
Notes
- Calculations for career totals will be skewed if the season totals are incomplete.