Leonard Carroll Fish

Leonard Carroll Fish, 79, of Clyde, N.C., went home to be with the Lord on July 19, 2025. His family prayed with him and said their goodbyes the night before at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville, N.C.

Leonard was a Haywood County native and one of 6 children of the late Reverend Odie and Marguerite (Messer) Fish. In 1966, Leonard began his service to our country as an Army mechanic in Vietnam. After his return, he married his wife, (late) Nancy Fish, in 1969, — together, they raised their two daughters, Melinda Davis and (late) Andrea Fish, in Clyde, N.C.

His bravery, determination, and unwavering faith in God live on through Melinda and her three children, Lidia Clinger, Macey Tanjuatco, and Locke Davis. From building his own house to polishing his three prized 1960s Mustangs — there wasn’t a project too extensive or challenging for Leonard to take on. As an avid Tar Heel fan, he cheered on his granddaughters during their dance team days at UNC Chapel Hill. He never missed a Tuscola football game when his grandson played from 2017 to 2021. When Leonard gave you his word, he wouldn’t let you down — he led by example with his steadfast commitment to his family.

In addition to his youngest daughter, Melinda (husband, Raife Davis and their three children), Leonard is survived by his siblings, Olene James, Jean Fish Fincher (husband, Mike Shuler), Darlene Williams (husband, Hugh Williams) and his brother, Ronald Fish. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, in 2009, his brother, Dale Fish, in 2009 and his eldest daughter, Andrea, in 2014.

Please join the family for a visitation at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville, N.C., on Thursday, July 24, at noon, with a funeral service following at 1 p.m. A graveside service with Soldiers of the Army Veterans Honor Guard will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Cemetery.

Livestream will be available for our family and friends who are unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, please share your favorite memory and/or photo of Leonard here on his obituary page.

The care of Leonard Fish has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.