Johnny Fisher
Posted: August 26, 2017
Johnny Will ‘Catfish’ Fisher humbly welcomed the will of God and peacefully entered eternal rest on Friday, August 18, 2017. He was born on December 20, 1948, to Charlie and Annie Will Lambus and was the eldest of twelve children. The Homegoing Celebration will be Monday, August 28, 2017, 3:00 P.M. at the James M. Trotter Convention Center, Columbus, MS. Burial will immediately follow at Sandfield Cemetery. Dr. Steven L. James, Sr. will be officiating. Visitation will be today from 4:00-6:00 P.M. at Carter’s Funeral Services, Columbus, MS. ‘Catfish aka Fisher aka Cat aka Fish aka Jr.’ Johnny Fisher confessed his belief in Christ at Mt. Zion M.B. Church of Columbus. He later became a member of the United Christian M.B. Church family under Dr. Steven L. James, Sr. in 2008. He was affectionately known as “Catfish” – a nickname that was given to him because of his ability to slip out of tackles. Johnny grew up in the “Memphis Town” area of Columbus. He attended Hughes Academy and was a graduate of Robert. E. Hunt High School Class of 1968. While in high school, Fisher enjoyed a record-setting athletic career at R.E. Hunt High School under Coach John Dickerson. A first-team all-conference performer in both football and track, Fisher scored 25 touchdowns and was named MVP of the Elks Bowl during his senior season. Following his outstanding high school athletic career, he accepted a football scholarship to attend Jackson State University. After spending the 1968 football season at Jackson State, Fisher transferred to East Mississippi Junior College for the 1969-70 academic year. As head coach A.J. Kilpatrick’s starting tailback, Fisher helped lead the 1969 EMJC Lions to a 9-1 record and runner-up finish among Mississippi’s junior college football ranks. For his sophomore year efforts, Fisher garnered National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American honors and was named to the Mississippi Junior College Association’s All-State/North Division squad. Following his banner year at EMJC, Fisher was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Maryland. While at Maryland, Fisher received his Bachelor degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice in 1973. He went on to earn his Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1977 from Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Serving to Protect and Enforce Johnny Fisher began a distinguished career as a correctional officer in Washington, D.C. He then joined the Baltimore City Police Department, where he received commendations and awards from the Baltimore City Mayor, the Governor of Maryland and the Maryland State Senate. Subsequently, Fisher joined the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as a special agent for the Baltimore Division. He dutifully carried out DEA’s mission towards domestic enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act Fisher’s work with the DEA carried him all over the country, including undercover work in the Midwest. While serving in Philadelphia, PA., Fisher was credited with leading his team in dismantling a major Jamaican drug gang that had terrorized the area for years. As a result of this work, the U.S. Attorney, along with other federal, state and local law enforcement officials, established the Violent Traffickers Project for Pennsylvania. The recipient of both Maryland gubernatorial and legislative awards, Fisher most notably received the DEA’s Administrator’s Award for initiating an Anti-Drug Prevention Program as well as for his outstanding contributions to the Drug Interdiction Program at the St. Louis (MO) Metropolitan Airport. Prior to retiring from his law enforcement career in 2005, Fisher supervised programs centering on asset forfeiture, financial investigation and organized crime drug enforcement task force. Giving Back What He’d Been Given ‘Catfish’ moved back home to Columbus following his retirement from law enforcement. He served as a Criminal Justice instructor at East Mississippi Community College Golden Triangle branch in Mayhew, MS. Johnny’s life was devoted to serving through his actions. He loved spending personal time with family and people abroad. He donated to various groups/organizations as well as to people whom he met in passing. He, along with Hiawatha Harrison of Global Pharmaceutical, sponsored a baseball team to allow young children an opportunity for activity and mentorship. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, reading, golfing, and television shows which consisted of C-SPAN (because it educated him on politics and the law), Martial Arts/Kung Fu, and Westerns. Johnny W. Fisher was a part of many organizations which included: the EMCC Bull Sullivan Foundation, 100 Black Men (President), United Christian M.B. Church Brotherhood Ministry, United Christian M.B. Church Security Ministry (Founding Co-Chairperson), New Jersey Chapter of NAACP, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. (Bowie State). Johnny was a 2004 inductee in the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. The Family Legacy Johnny ‘Catfish’ Fisher married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Currie Jean Brewer Fisher on June 2, 1968. This union was blessed with two children and two grandchildren. In June 2017, they celebrated 49 wonderful years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Lambus; mother, Annie Will Lambus; siblings: Andrew Lambus, Tawanda Lambus, and Jeanetta Lambus; mother-in-law Mrs. Lucille S. Brewer; sister-in-law Mrs. Augusta ‘Baby Doll’ Stevenson. His legacy will forever be cherished by his wife: Currie Jean Brewer Fisher of Columbus, MS; his children: Currie Jonniecka Fisher of Columbus, MS and Jaja Khary (Stephanie) Fisher of Marlton, NJ; his grandchildren: Blaise Victoria Fisher and Stefania Ann Fisher both of Marlton, NJ; his siblings: Brenda Shaw and Nancy (James) McKenzie both of Maryland, Francine (Rob) Lambus, Melody Lambus, Jeffrey Lambus, Darren Lambus of New York, Beverly Miller of North Carolina, and Bilal ‘Michael’ Lambus of Georgia; a special sister-in-law, Betty Perkins Billups; brother-in-law, Pete Brewer of Columbus, MS, and a host of many other relatives, friends, co-workers, his United Christian church family and teammates. The Final Score ‘Catfish’ scored his final touchdown with his family on the offensive line. At his request, they guarded him against any interceptions or interference. The line stood still at 3rd and goal as he made his final score. His wife and children cheered as he crossed the finish line of life. Pallbearers will be: Mayor Robert Smith, U.S. Marshal Dennis J. Erby, Charles Clemmons, Hughlon McKnight, Charles Fisher, Jr., Samuel Stokes, Andrew Bishop, Kendale Hill, Hiawatha Harrison, and Gene Taylor.