Michael Davidson Fisher, Ph.D., 59, died peacefully at his home in Douglas, Georgia, on Friday, November 9, following a valiant 2 ½ year battle with esophageal cancer. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nell Davidson Fisher, and his sister-in-law, Jodie Seward.
Dr. Fisher was an Emeritus Professor of English and French at South Georgia College, having taken medical retirement in 2011 after a distinguished 25 years teaching career. He was proud to have taught hundreds of students to love literature, improve their writing and appreciate the French language and culture.
Mike was born in Fort Worth, Texas on January 6, 1953, the son of Chaplain and Mrs. Jacob Alexander Schultz Fisher. His father served as a chaplain in the US Navy so the family moved frequently, living in Florida, California, Guam, and Virginia. Mike graduated from Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in English and Biology from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. He also earned an MA in English from Baylor University, an MA in French from Middlebury College, and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, as well as a diploma from the Alliance Francaise de Paris. Mike spoke fluent French and lived in France for a year on two occasions.
In 1993, Mike married Dr. Lori Seward, who had joined the SGC faulty the previous year. Together they served as faculty advisors to multiple student organizations including the SGC Theater Company, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the SGC Democrats.
Mike had many interests including travel, music, sailing, bicycling, theater, art, swimming, and reading. He played the guitar and sang at many SGC events. He and Lori traveled extensively, often spending summers in Europe or New York City. They could often be seen walking or riding their bikes on the SGC campus.
Mike is survived by his father and stepmother, Chaplain J.A.S. Fisher and Rosemary Fisher of Shreveport, LA; his sister and husband, Kelli and Andy Matthews, of Keithville, LA; three nieces, Stephani Mattews of Shreveport, LA, and Cara and Haley Seward of Bloomfield, CT; two nephews, Jason Matthews and Joshua Matthews of Keithville, LA; his mother-in-law, Carolyn Seward of Plainville, CT; his father-in-law, Herbert Seward of Port Richey, FL; brother-in-law, Wade Seward of Bloomfield, CT; two great nephews, a great niece, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is also survived by a multitude of friends, former colleagues, and former students.
A celebration of Mike’s life is planned for 4 PM on Saturday, November 17, at McGouirk Auditorium, Peterson Hall, South Georgia College. Friends will be invited to share their memories of Mike. The family will receive friends following the celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to a scholarship fund to be established in Mike’s memory at South Georgia College. Donations can be made to the South Georgia College Foundation, 100 West College Park Dr., Douglas, GA 31533. Sims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.