Rj Fischer

Robert James “RJ” Fischer, age 78, of Apopka, Florida passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold C Fischer and Virginia Randles, brother, Clifton H. Fischer, and grandson, Zane Kelley Jones.

He is survived by his wife, Jean O’Berry Fischer, brothers, Doug (Judy) Fischer and Bill (Liz) Fischer, sister, Ann Randles, sister-in-law, Ginger Fischer, sons, Roddy and Larry Fischer (Stacey) and daughter, Michelle Fischer Jones, grandchildren, Daniel, Anna, Melissa Grace, Laura Abigail, Julianna, Paxson, Levi, Naomi, Hannah, and Jet.

RJ was born in Plymouth, Michigan and was reared on a dairy farm until he moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1958. He was the radio DJ for the local station, WMOP beginning when he was 14 years old. He also threw papers for the local newspaper, The Ocala Star Banner. He attended a church revival at Olivet Baptist Church in the fall of 1963 where he met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. RJ joined the Navy after he graduated from Ocala High in 1964. He married his high school sweetheart in 1965. It was in the military where he and Jean first learned about The Navigators. He quickly became involved in ministry on and off the base in Memphis, TN. After serving for 12 years, he and his family of five moved to Birmingham, Alabama for the first of several jobs in electronics and computers. He fell into the job of Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 254 in 1981. He had found his calling…helping others build a boy-led, Christ-centered troop. The troop and the ministry out of it flourished while his career flailed. He became a full-time missionary with The Navigators in 1998. It wasn’t soon after that God called RJ and Jean to move to Orlando, Florida and assist with a new fledgling Christian scouting organization called Trail Life. It grew quickly, and RJ served at the local and national level for many years. He met with dads and the sons in large and small groups, as well as one-on-one often. RJ assisted the formation of a new men’s ministry in Central Florida, Forge. He was living out his life’s mission found in 2 Timothy 2:2. He always pointed folks to Christ in every moment of the day. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends, plus those that he has made lasting impact on. He was a ball of energy with tons of stories to share and crazy ideas to pull off. He lit up every room he ever entered.

A funeral service will be held at 6 o’clock in the evening at Orangewood Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Maitland, Florida on Friday the 3rd of May, 2024. A graveside service for family and close friends will be held at 10 o’clock in the morning at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens in Ocala, Florida on the 4th of May, 2024.

Flowers are loved, but in lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to RJ’s favorite ministries, Forge, Trail Life or The Navigators.


Arrangements are by the Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (Southside Chapel).


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