James H. Fish

Jim was larger than life—boisterous, loving, cantankerous, and adoring of his family, his most precious possession. He was born on the 2nd of June in San Antonio, Texas, to Marion Ginewsky Fish and Harry Aaron Fish. He was raised in San Antonio with his younger sister Harriet, who was an early childhood and lifelong friend to Beverly, who would later become his wife.

Jim had an early love of flying, having spent afternoons as a teenager working at the local airport in exchange for flying lessons and obtained his pilot license at a very young age. Following graduation from Texas Military Institute in 1949, he matriculated to Louisiana State University for one year, then joined the newly formed United States Air Force in 1951, serving in the Korean War in the 1264th Air Transport Services unit.

Following his time in the service, Jim returned to San Antonio and worked in his father’s retail business. In 1956, he dated and married his wife of almost 67 years, Beverly. The young couple moved to Houston, then Lake Charles, Louisiana, then back to Houston in 1967 where he spent the remainder of his life. Jim and his partner and brother-in-law Elliott Cohen, took over the small family retail business, The Woman’s Shop, and grew it into a chain of 15 stores by the time they ultimately sold their business in 1984. Following the sale, Jim became involved in Silver Fox Advisors and served as a mentor for 15 years, making many dear friends along the way before his health prevented him from participating in the organization.

For a time, Jim and Beverly owned a small ranch near Brenham, where Jim would enthusiastically mow the grass on his tractor or take on extensive repair projects. They led a charmed life of international travel, visiting all seven continents, including witnessing the fall of the Berlin wall just four weeks after the event.

Jim was an enthusiastic handyman, a regular poker player, an accomplished amateur photographer, and a proud barbecue chef. He was particularly proud presenting his famous barbecued spare ribs served on fine bone china to friends at dinner parties.

Jim is survived by his wife Beverly; his sons, Richard and Tom Fish and their wives, Marie Hoke Fish and Shari Fish; grandchildren, Stephanie Eisenbaum and her husband Jeffrey, Bubba Fish and his husband Aaron Lieberman, Christopher Fish and his fiancé Allie Murphy, Allison Fish, Stacy Callahan and her husband Conor; and great-grandchildren Jacob and Archer Eisenbaum and Dylan Callahan.

A memorial service is to be conducted at four o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 12th of September, in the Gordon Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood Boulevard in Houston, where Senior Rabbi David A. Lyon and Cantor Kenneth Feibush are to officiate. Virtual attendance may be accessed by selecting the "Join Livestream" icon below in the Services Section.

Immediately following, all are invited to join the family for a meal of condolence in the nearby Margolis Gallery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to The Houston Symphony, Attn: Development Department, 615 Louisiana St., Suite 102, Houston, TX 77002; or to Congregation Beth Israel. (Alternatively, you may select the links below to directly access their donation pages under "Donations").

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with his family by selecting the "Add a Memory" icon.