Girard Fish

Girard “Butch” Fish was born on Wednesday, March 29, 1950, as Girard Gould Bishop, son of the late Gould (Jimmy) Bishop and late Mary E. Blackbird in Fairfax, Oklahoma.  He passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on Sunday night, April 5, 2020, at the age of 70.

He grew up on Fifth Street in Fairfax at his maternal grandparents’ house, Girard (John) and Pauline “Tootie” Williams Blackbird.  He attended Fairfax Elementary up to fifth grade before moving to Holdenville where he lived until the later part of his junior year in High School.  During that time, he was adopted by the late B.T. Fish.

As a proud constituent of the Osage Nation, Butch belonged to the Grayhorse District, from the Eagle Clan and his Osage name is Wah-ses-tah-shin-kah. He graduated from Fairfax High School with the Red Devil Class of 1968.  After graduation he attended classes at Tahlequah NSU and Edmond CS (now UCO).

He and Kari “Tincy” Irons were married November 18, 1972 in Fairfax.  To this union one daughter Sarah was born in 1974.

Butch attended Tulsa Welding School and upon completion worked in the Tulsa area.  The couple returned to Fairfax where they help raised their grandson, Tre.

In his spare time, Butch could be found playing tennis at most any tennis court around.  He often won whether playing single or double matches. Later, he enjoyed a good game of Bingo at numerous sites across the state.

In addition to his parents and maternal grandparents, he was preceded in death by his birth paternal grandparents, Sim and Linda (Tyner) Bishop; his sisters, Paula “Kitty” Bishop Fish and Lisa Bishop Fish; his aunts, Maude (Buck) Cheshewalla, Sissy (Eddie) Daniels; and his cousin, John Cheshewalla.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 47 years Tincy; daughter, Sarah Fish; grandson, Tre Fish; older sister Irma “Buckey” Fish (Ronnie) Maye and her three children; cousin, C.R. Heath and her two daughters; cousin, Joe Cheshewalla; several in-laws; many friends and countless extended family.

Butch laid in state at the Grayhorse Chapel on Tuesday, April 7.  The family will have a small graveside service 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at the Fairfax City Cemetery with John Williams, presiding.  Burial will follow under the care of Hunsaker Wooten Funeral Home.  Due to the current circumstances limiting gatherings, please be mindful of the family as they say their good-byes.

Casket bearers are Jared Gibson, Matt Wynn, John Williams Jr., Joey Grigg, Lee Bowman and Michael Irons.  Honorary bearers are Brad Irons and Gary Madison.

Please feel free to leave a word of encouragement or sign Butch’s online guestbook at: www.hunsakerwootenfuneralhome.com

Although you are gone, memories of you are safe in our hearts, you will always be with us.