Bishop Richard L Fidler's Obituary
Bishop Richard L Fidler, formerly of Memphis TN, transitioned from his earthly life on August 22, 2015, at Douglas Nursing Home in Milan, TN. He went peacefully in his sleep at the age of 84.
Bishop Fidler was born on October 4th, 1930 to Mary Fergus Fidler and Russel L Fidler in Racine, WI. On June 25, 1935, his father was killed in an automobile accident but Richard was spared because his father threw his body over him for protection. His mother lived to be 100 years old and passed away May 16, 1997. He was preceded in death by his step father Martin A Richardson and his brother Russel L Fidler.
Bishop, as he is fondly known, dedicated his life to “Working for the Lord”. At the age of 16 he was licensed to preach, 5 years later became ordained, and six years later in 1957 became consecrated as Bishop for the Church of God in Christ. Bishop Fidler spent seven years in home town ministries in black and Spanish speaking communities of Racine, four years ministering in Chicago in black and Spanish speaking communities, and one year with the Latin American Gospel Team before going into missionary work in Cuba. In July 1957 Bishop founded the Church of God in Christ Cuba with 19 congregations and was appointed Bishop of Cuba. He has spent 19 years in foreign missionary service for the Church of God in Christ, preaching in 55 countries and founding the COGIC in 45 countries and 16 states of Mexico. He also spent 17 years in prison ministry; 4 years in Wisconsin and Illinois and 13 years in Memphis TN. Bishop Fidler had many notable accomplishments including the following; He was the first person to take gift packages of Bibles to Russian churches by legal customs sanction of the Soviet government in Sept 1973 and the first minister from outside Russia to preach in the 8000 member protestant church in Moscow since the early days of the Bolshevik revolution.
Bishop Fidler graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine, WI and then went on to Olivet Nazarene University where he received his TH B degree and also completed the requirements for a B A degree. He is survived by his nieces Verna (Dean) Covey, Roberta (Darrell) King and their families in Colorado as well as numerous cousins and their families in Racine, WI.
A service will be held at Mississippi Blvd Christian Church, 70 N Bellevue Blvd., Memphis, TN 38104 at 11:00 AM on Wednesday August 26th. Interment will be in Racine, WI at Graceland Cemetery on Friday August 28, 2015 at 11:00 AM.
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