Torance Frederick "TF" Fisher

Torance was born in Atchison, Kansas and raised in the Kansas City area. He served in the United States Marine Corps where he had the opportunity to learn an emerging technology, information systems management. These skills enabled him to become a pioneer in this new field when he returned to KC. Torance had a successful career working across the industry for manufacturing, education, retail, utilities and banking corporations including Vendo, United Telecom, the Kansas City Art Institute, Macys and Commerce Bank.

Torance carried a personal card that says, “Proud to be a Christian, an American, a Veteran and an Elk.” A member of Gladstone’s St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, he served as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and altar server for daily mass as well as Hospital Minister at NKC Hospital for years. He described his experience serving meals each Monday downtown at the Catholic Worker House as one of his most rewarding experiences.

An Elk for 40 years, Lodge 2376 elected him as Exalted Ruler in 1990-1991 and 2004-2005, and treasurer in 2018-2019. He loved his involvement as scholarship chairman and was especially known for his dry wit and entertaining stories.

Not explicitly on that card, but obvious to all, was the significance Torance placed on service. For many years he represented the Elks as the chairman of the food floor at the Christmas Store, making the holidays brighter for local families in need with Suburban-loads of essentials. He was appointed to the local board of the United States Selective Service. And he was an officer on the Carriage Hill HOA board for over 25 years.

Torance loved golf, skiing, boating, trout fishing, a good card game and adventures. He was a weekend cowboy and raised cattle in the 70s. He was Flotilla Captain for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In 2001, he and a group of Elks set off from Parkville for an epic trip down the Missouri to New Orleans – in a pontoon boat! (the first of three river expeditions) As a lover of classic cars, he enjoyed the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Always up for intellectual conversation, lively debate and clever questions, he was a natural for Mensa membership.

Torance is reunited in heaven with his parents Georgia Warner and Manford Finley Fisher, sister Georgia Sue Fisher Wayne, nephews Albert Rogers and Harry Rogers, niece Sharon South and stepson Brian Slocum.

Along with his devoted wife, JoAnn Kleffner Fisher, family who will miss him dearly include daughters Shaun Fisher Young (husband Craig Young) of La Quinta, California and Ronda Fisher Griffin (husband Chris Griffin) and grandchildren Jennifer and Grant Griffin of St. Louis; stepdaughters Denise Slocum of Gladstone and Samantha Slocum Santoyo (husband Joseph) and great granddaughter Avery Jade of Gladstone; and nephews Dennis Rogers of Lee’s Summit and Jerry Rogers of Kansas City, Kansas.

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 31 from 6-8pm at White Chapel Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass will be celebrated Friday, April 1 at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Gladstone at 10am (rosary at 9:30am). Graveside service with military honors (immediately following mass) at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Reception to follow at White Chapel Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Saint Andrew the Apostle Church capital campaign. Checks may be sent to 6415 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO 64119 (designate “new church building fund”) or online at www.sataps.com.

The family would like to thank the North Kansas City Hospital Heart Care Clinic for their excellent care and NorthCare Hospice House staff for their compassion.