Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Jack E. Fleming

Jack Eugene Fleming, age 80, long time Colorado Springs resident, retired insurance agent, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at a local care center. Jack was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, son-in-law and a dear friend.

Jack was born in Rockville, NE in his maternal grandparents' home on the farm He lived in Lexington, NE until age 13 years when the family moved to Kimball, NE where he graduated high school in 1954. He attended University of Nebraska Lincoln on a football scholarship, lettering in football twice, had the honor of playing in the 1955 New Years' Orange Bowl game, and was on the All Big-8 Scholastic Football team.

Upon college graduation in 1957 Jack was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. In June 1957 he attended the United States Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, VA and upon graduation was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and assigned to El Toro Marine Corps Air Station near Santa Ana, CA where he remained until being honorably discharged in June 1959.

Jack married Carolyn Dell Torrence on June 16, 1957 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Red Oak, IA The couple lived in Quantico, VA and Laguna Beach, CA while he was in the Marine Corps, and later in the Chicago, IL area (River Forest, Woodstock and Geneva) where Jack was a district sales representative for Standard Oil of Indiana for several years. However, because Jack was a westerner at heart and wanted to get back to the West, they moved to Colorado Springs, CO in November 1962 where he took a sales position with Frontier Refining. Several years later he joined the insurance business until his retirement.

Jack loved sports, especially hunting, fly fishing, skiing, and camping with his family and friends, and football, particularly Nebraska University football. He coached Little League football when his sons were participating, and as they were growing up, through the years never missed any game in which his sons were participating.

Preceded by his parents Loyel and Buelah Fleming, is brother Gary Fleming, infant niece Christine Fleming, infant grand-niece Kayla McClain, father-in-law Robert Torrence.

Jack is survived by, wife; Carolyn, sons; Michael (Kelly) of Colorado Springs, and Patrick (Shannon) of Torrington, WY, Grandchildren; Tyler of Santa Rosa, CA/ Hayden, Haylee, & Hadley of Torrington, WY, and Alexander of Colorado Springs, Mother-in-law; Bunny Torrence (late Robert Torrence), Lenexa, KS, Sister-in-law and brother-in-law; Patricia and Donald Buffon, Shawnee, KS, Niece; Lizabeth McClain (Greg) (their children Cassandra and Dakota) Niece; Lisa Hilliard (John), Fairway, KS (their children Alexandra and Derek) Nephew; Mark Buffon (Amy Dix), (their child Sid), Sister-in-law; Florence Fleming, Henderson, NV, Nephew; Scott Fleming (Ann), Henderson NV, Niece; Julie Malcomson (Kevin), Henderson, NV (their children Sarah and Alexander).

Jack loved the Lord, his family and friends, and his country.

Memorial services Monday, December 7, 2015, at 2:00PM at First Lutheran Church, 1515 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.

Internment in Red Oak, Iowa at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.