One of the two eulogists at Fetter’s memorial service, Pastor Robert Gray, called Fetter a “tall, gentle giant” who meant much to his church.
Gray also said Fetter was always a “professional” and “man of strength,” and that if there was one Bible verse that summed up his life, it was Acts 10:38, because he went about doing good.
The pastor noted that not too long ago, Fetter helped him and his wife gain a guardianship of their special needs son. Gray recalled that Fetter told him, “Always love him, and always take care of him.”
Pastor Alan Metzel, who is also a member of the Gilmer coaching staff, quoted Fetter as saying that “I have to believe in the big picture because when I look at the small picture, many times it gets messy.”
“That captured who this man was. He lived for the big picture,” Metzel said. “He was more than a big man physically. He was a big man ” who served others.
Metzel said he and Fetter had eaten breakfast together most Wednesdays for nine years in connection with a Bible study in which they participated. He recalled the attorney ’s passion for his family and for truth.
He recalled that he once had Fetter speak to one of his classes at school, and that a student had asked how a lawyer could defend someone the attorney knew was guilty. Fetter passionately replied that when he did that for a client, he was defending the federal Constitution.
Metzel also said the Gilmer coaching staff “had an incredible gift for the past 10 years” with Fetter keeping statistics and bringing soft drinks for the staff to games. Fetter knew each coach’s favorite soft drink, and provided a coach with a serving for the first half and another for the second half, the speaker remembered.
Metzel also cited Matthew 22:31 and I Corinthians 13:12 in reflecting on Fetter’s life.
Source: The Gilmer Mirror, Gilmer, TX
Longview (Texas) News-Journal
Former Gregg County sheriff, Upshur County DA Fetter dies at 62
Local judge: ‘He was a gentle giant’
Posted: Saturday, May 22, 2010 12:15 am | Updated: 3:45 pm, Sat May 22, 2010.
By Angela Ward award@news.journal.com | 0 comments
Former Gregg County Sheriff and Upshur County District Attorney Michael Fetter was remembered Friday for his leadership and integrity.
Fetter, 62, died Friday at Good Shepherd Medical Center after a brief illness.
He served as Gregg County sheriff for about 10 months in 1979 and 1980 and as Upshur County district attorney from 2003 to 2006.
He also worked for the Gregg County District Attorney's Office and as an attorney in private practice. Funeral services for Fetter will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Croley Funeral Home Chapel in Gilmer.
Judge David Brabham of the 188th District Court in Gregg County, who worked with Fetter in the 1970s and remained friends with him, said Fetter always did an outstanding job in whatever position he worked.
"He was truly a gentle giant," Brabham said. "He was a very good man who brought integrity and sincerity to every job he undertook. I'll definitely miss him."
Gregg County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson said Fetter did a good job under difficult circumstances.
"Fetter was appointed as interim sheriff after the previous sheriff had resigned, and he kept the department going strong until a new sheriff was elected," Jameson said. "It wasn't easy, but Gregg County was lucky to have a man of his stature at a difficult time in its history."
Don Jeter, who worked as investigator in the Upshur County District Attorney's Office during Fetter's tenure, said he was a man of his word.
"We didn't always agree politically, but when he told you something, you knew he was going to stand by it," Jeter said. "He didn't have any kind of hidden agenda, and the residents of both Gregg and Upshur counties benefitted from the work he did."
Fetter is survived by his wife, two sons and several other relatives.
The Defiance Crescent-News • Thursday, June 3, 2010
PEOPLE & PLACES Page A3
By Jack Palmer, Staff Writer .png)
Local native recalled as gentle giant
He was baptized Michael Brice Fetter, but his Defiance buddies just called him “Moose.”
At 6-9 and around 300 pounds, the moniker was self-explanatory.
Fetter, a 1965 graduate of Defiance High School, died May 21 at the age of 62. He had lived in rural west Texas since completing his course work at Defiance College in 1969.
He earned a law degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and quickly embarked on a remarkable life as a teacher, coach, police officer, sheriff and district attorney.
“He lived a life of service,” said his brother, former Defiance elementary principal Bob Fetter. “His first job in Texas was working on a ranch where they sent delinquent kids from the big cities. He loved teaching and working with kids.”
But if he had to do it all over again, he would have devoted his entire professional career to law enforcement. Fetter was actually appointed Gregg County sheriff in 1979 after the previous sheriff had resigned. He served about 10 months until a new sheriff was elected.
Later, he was elected as criminal district attorney of Upshur County and municipal judge for Big Sandy, Texas. He began in law enforcement as a certified police officer patrolling the streets.
“I just knew him as a bright, hardworking, family-loving friend,” said former Defiance resident Mike Easley. “His accomplishments were many, and he obviously was well-respected in his various professions.”
At a memorial service held in Texas, he was remembered as a “gentle giant.” A second memorial service will be held Saturday at noon at Ayersville United Methodist Church.
“During the service in Texas, the pastor shared that he and his wife had recently adopted a special needs child and that Mike had done the legal work free of charge,” said Bob Fetter. “On the way out, the pastor asked Mike if there was anything he could do for him since he wouldn’t take any money. Mike replied, ‘Yes, take this boy home and love him.’ ”
One of the more humorous local anecdotes about Fetter took place during his first few days as a freshman at Defiance College.
It must first be pointed out that Fetter was 6-5 and still growing in high school. By the time he entered DC, he was 6-9.
As the story goes, Fetter happened to walk past the open office of Yellow Jacket head football coach Kirk Mee. Mee was immersed in a conversation, but when he saw Fetter walk by in the hallway he stopped in mid-conversation and yelled, “Hey you! C’mere!
Needless to say, there weren’t many students of Fetter’s physical stature walking the halls at DC. Upon questioning by the coach, Fetter admitted he hadn’t played football since his freshman year in high school but agreed to give it a try. Fetter decided to join the wrestling team that year to get into shape to play football the following year.
“Moose was unbeaten in wrestling,” said Steve Korhn, a high school classmate. “One time an opponent walked onto the mat, took one look at Moose, and forfeited on the spot before the match started.”
Unfortunately, Fetter did not receive medical clearance to play football the following year due to high blood pressure.
Bob Fetter said his brother was planning to close his law practice this month and move to Hawaii with his wife, Sandy, who is retiring from teaching. They loved Hawaii and wanted to be closer to their only grandchild, aptly named Michael Joseph Fetter.
The final song played at Moose’s memorial service in Texas was the familiar ballad “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” sung by renowned Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole with his own ukulele accompaniment. “That was Mike’s favorite song,” said his brother.
One can easily envision the reaction of the good Lord, always in need of selfless servants, upon seeing Mike Fetter walk the heavenly halls for the first time.
“Hey you! C’mere!
(Jack Palmer is a staff writer for The Crescent-News and may be contacted by e-mail at: palmer@crescent-news.com)
Source: Find A Grave Memorial Website
