Edward Risher; Oct. 2, 2010

Edward Clement Risher, 65, of Madison passed away Saturday, Oct. 2 in his home after an extended illness.

Ed, or as his family called him, “Clem,” was born Feb. 15, 1945, in Lumberton, Miss., son of the late Alice and Edward Hanes Risher of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Ed/Clem was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He served his family, his country and his God.

Ed/Clem served as an Army infantry officer in Vietnam. Maj. Risher left the service in 1981, joining a family business and then working in various positions in Fort Walton Beach. He married Paulette McDermott Risher on Dec. 13, 1975, and they were blessed with a daughter, Alicia. The blessing continued with the arrival of three wonderful granddaughters, Faith Marie, Ryan Madison and Adrianna Dane.

Ed/Clem was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and later earned a master’s degree from Troy State University. He loved to camp, boat, and ride his Honda Goldwing motorcycle. He was a man of great faith, great love, and great strength. His humor was both notorious and contagious.

Ed/Clem was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David. His survivors include his wife, Paulette of Madison; daughter and son-in-law, Alicia and Tech Sgt. David Lund Jr. and their three daughters of McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

Ed was the oldest of 11 children and is survived by his siblings, Richard Risher and his wife Kitty of Dothan, Barbara Sprecker and her husband Tim of Tucson, Ariz., Dianne Lankford and her husband Jim of Fort Walton Beach, Sheryl Howell and her husband John of Ocala, Fla., Steven Risher and Cana O’Brien of Fort Walton Beach, Debbie Peterson and her husband Chip of Cypress, Texas, Billy Risher and his wife Tina of Shelbyville, Ky., Chris Risher and his wife Lori of Birmingham, and Mitzi Roth and her husband Jeff of Fort Walton Beach.

“Uncle Clem” is remembered by his 38 nieces and nephews as the fun uncle willing to go anywhere, anytime, for their benefit. He always gave the best thing possible … his time.

Visitation and rosary were held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 at Berryhill Funeral Home Chapel, Huntsville. A rosary was said at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8. Burial will be conducted at the Alabama National Cemetery at Montevallo at 2:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity. Among Mr. Risher’s favorite charities were the Catholic Relief Services, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Food for the Poor and Smile Train.