Steve Fisher, 52, died of liver failure on Monday, March 31, at the home of his life partner, Anthony Benitez.
Fisher was raised in upstate New York and graduated from Columbia University. He worked as a computer programmer for ARCO Oil and Gas Company for many years before taking an early retirement. But because of his love of travel, Fisher began a second career as a customer service representative for Southwest Airlines, a company he loved. He worked at the gates at Love Field in Dallas for many years.
Fisher traveled extensively throughout the United States in in Europe. He was known for his competence, intelligence and encyclopedic knowledge on a wide range of topics. He had a quick and wicked wit and loved to spend time with his friends. He and Benitez enjoyed hosting gatherings at the home they had renovated extensively.
In adittion to Benitez, Fisher is survived by his mother Julia Fisher, his brother Alan Fisher, his sister Ronnie Fisher, and good friends Bonnie Moon, Douglas Becker, Amy Martin and Ricky Sanchez, as well as many other friends, co-workers and admirers from all over the country.
The family expressed their appreciation to Faith Hospice for their care during Fisher’s final days.
A celebration of Fisher’s life will be held Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. in the stone ampitheater outside Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive.
William H. "Bill" McKinney III died March 29 at his home in Dallas.
McKinney was born Feb. 5, 1943, in Waco to W.H. and Ethelyne McKinney. He graduated from Baylor University in 1965. He was the former president of Fitz and Floyd Inc., and the former president of Royal China and Porcelain Company. He lived in New York and later in Philadelphia before moving back to Dallas after retiring from Royal China.
McKinney was preceded in death by his father and his close friends Randy McMillan, Randolph Terrell, Ed Whitney and Gerald Hargett.
He is survived by his mother, his sister Janet Hodge, his brothers Tom and John, and his close friends Stephen Arnn, Bill Justice, Mark Robertson, Patrick Daly, Mark Morrison, Alan Levi, Kelly Nitche, Larry Lyles, Jay Oppenheimer, Dolph Haas, Ed Malinowsky and many others stretching from California to the United Kingdom.
There will be an informal celebration of McKinney’s life at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at The Park Towers, 3310 Fairmount. Complimentary valet provided.
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Krystyn Karolinska, 49, died March 21 at Methodist Hospital in Dallas from a liver infection.
Karo-linska was the volunteer librarian for the Resource Center of Dallas from 2003 to 2005 and she won the Volunteer of the Year award there in 2004 for donating more than 1,300 hours of volunteer services. She was also a poet and author of "River of Tears."
Karolinska is survived by her friends, Terry Gaston of Dallas and Michael Spencer of Dallas.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition April 4, 2008.
Tony,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I still consider you my dearest friend. I miss you and hope that you can find happiness in life. I still go back to my clarinet roots. I hope you can forgive me for my stupidity in life.
Jackie