John Michael Fleming

John Michael Fleming Senior, 86, of Ogden, Arkansas, passed away on August 1st surrounded by the love of his family. Mike was born March 3rd, 1940, to Samuel Pierce and Valerie Fleming. He grew up in Ogden, Arkansas and attended school there in the early years before transferring to St. Edward’s Catholic Church School in Texarkana. After a few years there he transferred to Ashdown to finish his schooling and graduated from Ashdown High School in 1957. Following graduation, Mike answered the call to serve his country and his family’s tradition of military service by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on December 1st, 1958. He served honorably until his discharge on March 23rd, 1966. During those years he met the love of his life, Joan Carolyn Bryant, and they were married on September 10, 1959. Together they shared 52 beautiful years of marriage until her passing September 20, 2011. While fulfilling his military service, Mike began a distinguished 34-year career with GTE in Texarkana along with 3 of his brothers (Ben, Pat and Charles). He believed in hard work, dependability, and doing every job with integrity, values learned from his parents and older siblings. Mike never met a stranger. People found him easy to talk to, steady in his counsel, and genuine in his desire to help. He was often the peacemaker among family and friends, known for his quiet strength, his character, and his caring heart. An avid sportsman, Mike loved golf, tennis, fishing, football, basketball, hunting and nearly every sport, but golf held a special place in his life. He played from his teenage years until nearly 82 years of age and cherished every moment on the course. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Pierce and Valrie Frances Moore Fleming, and his wife of 52 years, Joan Carolyn Bryant Fleming, and his siblings, Samuel Fleming Jr., Margaret Fleming Tirrito, James Fleming Sr., Ben Fleming, Bridget Fleming, and Pat Fleming Sr. He is survived by his siblings, Cathrine Fleming Wade (Kossie) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Betty Fleming Williams (John) of Collierville, Tennessee, and his youngest brother, Charles Fleming of Harrison, Arkansas. He has two sons, John Michael Fleming Jr. (Dean Thornton) of Bodcaw, Arkansas, and Kevin Shane Fleming Sr. and (Natalie Tilley) of Ogden, Arkansas, four grandchildren, Myranda Nicole Fleming, Kevin Shane Fleming Jr. (Kaitlyn), Christopher Garth Fleming, and Ashley Brooks Fleming (Weston) all of Spring Branch, Texas, and three great-grandchildren, Oaklyn, Sean, Addyson Justus and Ryder also of Spring Branch, Texas. In accordance with his wishes, John Michael Fleming will be cremated. Arrangements were made through Maden Funeral Home. Visitation will be August 15th at 10:00 AM followed by a Rosary at 10:40 AM. MASS/Military Honors and Funeral will be at 11:00 AM with lunch to follow afterwards all at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 1910 Rankin St in Ashdown, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Texarkana and Pleasant Manor Nursing Home of Ashdown in memory of John Michael Fleming Sr. in appreciation for the care and support they whole heartedly provided.

John Michael Fleming

March 6, 1940 - August 1, 2026