Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Paul Fleming Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Christie Duke
August 12, 2020
Missing you today and always!!!
August 29, 2009
I was saddened to hear of Coach Flemings passing. He was a wonderful man who touched many lives and will be greatly missed. May you take comfort in knowing how LOVED he was.
God Bless!
Kim Farrell Nolan
Kim Farrell
Neil Griffin - DSF Class of '89
August 25, 2009
Coach Fleming you truly will be missed. You were a symbol of what Freeman was all about. I remember having you for Freshman P.E. and for Driver's Ed that summer. I often credit you with turning my life around as a freshman after an incident in which you dealt with the discipline rather then sending it on for the administration to deal with. I often tell the story and say if only we would let our teachers today do what you did to me so many years ago. Thank you for that. I will also miss seeing you around especially on those nights when we would run into each other at Rare Olde Times. I always enjoyed seeing you.
Kay Schmidt Reed
August 23, 2009
Coach Fleming was my all-time favorite teacher when I was at Freeman (1969-1971). I had him for 10th grade math. I frequently wore a red dress to school that year, and because of that, he always called me "Snow Queen." One time he caught a classmate and me snacking on our lunches in the back of his classroom. He instructed us both to write 'I will not eat my lunch in class' 500 times and bring it to him when we were finished.
My next class was study hall. I began the tedious assignment. Then, I had a brainstorm.
After study hall, I went back to Coach's class and told him I was done. Looking astonished, he said, "You couldn't have finished that in 45 minutes! ... All right, show me."
So I presented him with a single sheet of paper on which I'd written: "I will not eat my lunch in class 500 times."
A broad smile broke out on his face, and he chuckled, "Snow Queen, if you'd use half those smarts in math class, maybe you'd get an A once in a while."
What a dear person Coach Fleming was. My deepest sympathies to his family. Our city has lost a legend.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Jo Anne Pignotti
August 21, 2009
I didnt know the Coach but do know his son Tom and met the rest of the family yesterday....
It is a true testament of a person to see the love and respect that was truly obvious by the people who came to say goodbye ...
There is no doubt his legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren... they are a lovely family which speaks for itself ....
I only wish I had gotten a chance to know him
Coach.. rest in peace .... you ... are one very revered man
Erick Oliver
August 21, 2009
To the Fleming family my thoughts and prayers are with you. I can't tell you all the great times I had with coach while I was playing ball at DSF or hitting golf balls in the annual tournament. He will be greatly missed!
Erick Oliver DSF 81
Lois Robert
August 21, 2009
Mr. Fleming was a wonderful friend and neighbor. I will never forget him. Evamon, please call any time if you need any thing. Love you.
Cindy Kennedy
August 20, 2009
Pat and Family,
I am so saddened by your loss. May your memories of your dear dad/grandfather hold you close in the days that follow.
Love,
Cindy Kennedy
August 20, 2009
May God surround Evamon and family with love and mercy at this special time....sincere condolences and comfort go with this thought....we will miss Paul at the Moose....Pam Whitlock and Tuck Adams
August 20, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May menories of him comfort you in the future.
Valerie Valenzi & David Freeborn, Warrenton, Virginia
Brendan Soden
August 20, 2009
To Mrs. Fleming and Family,
It has been years since I had the pleasure of knowing Coach Fleming, who was my Geometry teacher, at Benedictine. His knowledge of math was incidental to the life lessons he taught everyone on a daily basis. No doubt, as others have so eloquently expressed, his mentoring helped make many boys into men.
My thoughts and prayers to all of you and a shared gratitude in having such a man in our lives.
August 20, 2009
We are so saddened to hear about your loss. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We find comfort knowing he is with the Lord, along with fellow Douglas Freeman staff. Can you just imagine the stories being told up in heaven? God bless all of you.
The Hoy Family
Elsie, Hunter, and Jo Ellen
Roy Ward, BHS'66
August 20, 2009
I first met Coach Fleming in the early 1960's when he came to Benedictine to coach football and golf, and teach geometry. I remember him mainly because he also taught a simple lesson -- KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Even today, when I find myself bogged down in too many details of a complex issue, I think "KISS", and fondly remember the man who introduced me to the concept. My condolences to Coach's family.
Cindy Adams
August 20, 2009
What a kind fella' Coach Fleming was...always sportin' "The Cheshire Cat grin". He is sorely missed.
God Bless.
Love, Cindy Cook Adams, DSF '76
August 19, 2009
Coach Fleming,was my P.E. teacher, and driving Instructor, not sure if I taught him a few things about driving, or visa versa.
Many prayers to all left behind,and rest in pease family, friends, loved ones and coach fleming.
Craig Babb
August 19, 2009
To the Fleming family.My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Coach was always very pleasent and had a big smile. He will truly be missed at the YMCA pool.
Nora Wilkinson Henrico, VA.
Cindy Reynolds
August 19, 2009
His smile and twinkle in his eye are what I remember at Freeman. Always kind words or funny joke to brighten your day...Another great legacy to the Freeman Family. My deepest condolences.
Cindy Jones Reynolds
DSF'76
Terry and Dennis Spurrier
August 19, 2009
Evamon and Family,
Through Freeman athletics, we've known Paul for 31 years. Even after his retirement he remained a part of the Freeman Family, always there to help whenever he was asked or just to offer support. He will be missed.
We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers both now and in the coming days. May your many memories provide you comfort during this time.
Christie Henry Bowers DSF '75
August 18, 2009
What can I say about a man who I loved with all my heart...a dear friend who will be sorely missed. No one will ever be able to call me "Chief" again with the same sincerity and respect. I don't know if I will ever be able to play darts again as my "Captain" is gone. Coach Fleming never knew a stranger. He was a man who was always there to give sound advice or just a shoulder to cry on. I have many fond memories from high school and throughout my life. I was very blessed to have been able to call him my "friend." My thoughts and prayers go out to his wonderful family and to my friend, Evamon...his lovely wife. I will miss Paul for the rest of my days.
Casey & Jayne Salo
August 18, 2009
Friday night dinners at the Moose Lodge won't be the same without Coach and Mrs. Coach. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Bruce Spain
August 18, 2009
Paul will certainly be missed by all of his friends at the Y. What a very special nice man! He knew no strangers.
Paul was an inspiration.
Dale Richmond
August 18, 2009
To the Fleming Family. Coach Fleming was a good man, and he will be missed. I'm sure he is in a very good place passing out those "tuti fruity" mouth pieces. God Bless the Fleming family during your time of grief. Me and my family will pray for yours.
Dick and Pattie Munnikhuysen
August 18, 2009
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Glen Eastman
August 18, 2009
Evamon and Paul Fleming Family,
What can anyone say having been a good friend of "Coach" and then, so suddenly, he leaves us? The most important lesson Coach taught us all was; to have a friend, you have to be a friend. He treated everyone the same way; with respect, and with a sense that you were special. The fact is, Coach was very special. He always wanted to see a smile on your face. What made him the happiest was to have a fun time with his family and friends.
He will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to be a part of his life; his loving family, as well as, his FAMILY of friends, golfing buddies, fellow Rebel coaches and students, and his brothers and sisters at the Tuckahoe Moose Lodge.
Farewell Coach; I hope you meet up with Ted Williams and his buddies at the Fenway Park in heaven. Have fun!
August 18, 2009
I attended Douglas Freeman High School and graduated in 1975. Mr. Fleming was very popular and well liked by all. He will be missed. My sympathies to his family for this loss.
Debbie Yasigian
August 18, 2009
August 18, 2009
Ann, Pat, Tom and Katie - When Uncle Paul spoke about the Red Sox I could swear PopPop was in the room. They looked alike and had the same Irish twinkle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Love Debbie, Peter, Kyle, Megan and Michael
Michelle, Ashley, & John
August 18, 2009
Paul always put a smile on our face when we saw him in the neighborhood-always speaking and telling jokes-He will be greatly missed!!
Kenny Stein, Oak Hill Manager
August 18, 2009
I remember the first time a saw coach. He was driving what looked like to me to be a "blue hearse" and out of it fell six DSF golfers who had come to Oak Hill to play a golf match against the mighty JR Tucker Tigers.I'm not real sure which team won that day, but it was very obvious that the DSF team was very relaxed as the real pressure (from riding 10 miles in that shiq wagon) was now over. Coach Fleming and the many DSF athletes should hve won awards for courage for just riding in that vehichle. That is a very fond memory for me that he and I laughed about many times. We are going to miss you Coach.
August 18, 2009
Paul was a true Irishman and gentleman. I will never hear "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" without thinking of him. May he rest in peace and the knowledge that he was loved by so many.
David & Louise Hodor
August 18, 2009
Mrs. Fleming and Family. Coach was a great friend, and I will miss him. You all have our deepest sympathy.
Ben & Gaye Peery
Suzanne Criswell
August 18, 2009
To the Fleming family - my deepest sympathy and love on Paul's passing. When no one could understand me at DSF, I knew my fellow "Woosta" birthmate would. I always enjoyed "visiting home" with Paul. He was a great educator as is demonstrated by the students who kept in touch for so many years after leaving the halls of the school. We will miss him greatly at the functions to come.
Andrea Pignotti
August 18, 2009
To the man who always loved to pick on me and made me laugh whenever we were in the same room. You will be missed dearly.
Dick & Sue Kemper
August 18, 2009
mon and Family: The world has lost a wonderful man. A great coach and teacher and a mentor to countless young people that have grown into solid citizens because of Pauls influence and example. Sue and I are sorry that we are out of town and cannot attend the Memorial service. God Bless a wonderful man. Go Red Soxs!
Debbie McNew Class of 85
August 18, 2009
Coach Fleming was my favorite teacher in high school many years ago...he was such a good man and will never be forgotten! My deepest sympathy to his family who knew him and loved him most! We will all miss him and you all are in my prayers!
Dale Kitts
August 18, 2009
I had Paul as a teacher and coach in the 1950s at Graham HS, Bluefield, VA. A few years ago we reconnected and I got to know him as a friend. Paul was a true educator. He always wanted his students and team to peform at their highest level. He was there for guidance and support. My favorite teacher (educator)! He will be missed by everone who knew him.
August 18, 2009
Coach was a truly remarkable individual who could leave a mark on anybody, especially when you're split wasn't wide enough. His impacts on many young men, my father and me included, helped guide and re-direct our life long paths. Our thoughts and prayers are with both his immediate family and the community family he touched.
Kim and Philip Parker (DSF '81 and '82)
August 18, 2009
Evamon and family: My deepest sympathy in the passing of Paul. What a positive influence that he had amongst his students, as well as those of us who worked along with him! May his memory be eternal, as he joins our Lord and many of those that have gone
on ahead. May you find strength and peace with the love of God and comfort and love in the prayers of friends.
Tom Stavredes
Scott Richmond
August 18, 2009
I would like extend my condolences to the Fleming family. Your dad was a good man. May the Lord bless all of you and bring you comfort. Thanks for sharing him with all of us.
Squiffy Christopher
August 18, 2009
Coach was a great man and will be truly missed by many, especially the DSF family!. My thoughts and prayers are with his family! God Bless you all!
Showing 1 - 39 of 39 results
Make a Donation
in Paul Fleming's name
People and places connected with Paul
How to support Paul's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Paul Fleming's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored