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Horace Fleming Obituary
A native of Elbert County, Georgia, Dr. Fleming earned his Bachelors and Master’s degrees from the University of Georgia. He received his Doctorate in Political Science from Vanderbilt University. A highly decorated veteran of the United States Army, he served as a captain from 1969 to 1970 in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star and Regimental Cross of Gallantry.
Dr. Fleming served Mercer University on two occasions, as Executive Vice President and Provost from 1992 to 1997, and as Provost from July 2006 to June 2008. In May 2008, Dr. Fleming was named Distinguished University Professor of Educational Leadership at Mercer and recently completed a sabbatical at the University of South Carolina as a visiting professor of educational leadership and policies.
Prior to coming to Mercer in 1992, Dr. Fleming was Executive Vice President at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, from 1990 to 1992. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in 1990, the highest civilian award conferred by the State of South Carolina.
Dr. Fleming, the seventh President of The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, served that institution from January 1997 until September 2001. He returned to Mercer in 2001, serving as Special Counsel to the President and continued serving as Consultant to The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg through 2002.
Dr. Fleming began his teaching career in 1971 as a member of the faculty at Clemson University. During his 19-year tenure at Clemson, he served as president of the faculty senate and was chosen Alumni Master Teacher in 1979 by the Clemson student body. He was also the founding director of the Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs.
Dr. Fleming took leave from Clemson from 1980 to 1982 to serve as chief economist for the Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate. He also was staff director of the Office of President Pro Tem of the Senate, Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina.
Dr. Fleming’s life will always be honored and celebrated by his immediate family: wife, Orene ‘Steve’ Fleming; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Timothy Snowden of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; son Capt. Patrick W. Fleming of Columbia, South Carolina; sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Boyce Dunn of Anderson, South Carolina; and brother Gerald G. Fleming of Macon, Georgia; and his many colleagues, students, and friends throughout the world.
In lieu of flowers, donations are recommended to The Salvation Army, The American Cancer Society, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Hart’s Mortuary and Crematory, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, Georgia, from 6:00 until 9:00æp.m. Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held at Mercer University on Friday, May 8, 2009. Complete service details are available through Mercer University’s website: www.Mercer.edu.
Hart’s Mortuary and Crematory on Cherry Street has charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Horace Fleming
Kathryn Smith
May 29, 2009
Dear Steve,
Memorials have been made to the Cancer Association of Anderson, a nonprofit that assist cancer patients in Anderson County, SC, by Dr. Fleming's friends Holley Ulbrich and Cynthia Prescott. I am the executive director there. My father is Bruce Yandle, who was also a colleague of Horace's at Clemson. I would like to add my condolences, too. As a reporter at the Anderson Independent-Mail in the 1980s and 1990s, I enjoyed interviewing Horace on several occasions. He was a delightful person and his death is a loss to the world.
DEE HUNTER
May 11, 2009
I'm sorry to the Fleming family as I talked to him 4 years ago as I was working in Macon as an engineer. He was my Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity advisor at Clemson in late 1970's. he had great honor, insight, compassion, intution, & inteligence. The world is a better place due to Dr. Horace Fleming. I pray for his family. DEE HUNTER, P.E.
Thomas Kail
May 7, 2009
Dear Steve, Susan, and Patrick
I met Horace when I was at the University of the Pacific. He brought me to Mercer. He had a tremedous impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity he gave me to serve Mercer's adult learners.
When I think of Horace, I am reminded of how Jesus ended the "Sermon on the Mount." He said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth." Dr Fleming is the "salt" of the earth. "Salt" is elemental in the history of the world: it preserves, it adds taste and flavor; and it reconciles and unites by giving things definition, meaning, and hope. Horace did those things consistently throughout his life. I am blessed to have been his colleague and to have known him for twenty years.
Thomas E. Kail, Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia
John Hardee
May 6, 2009
I first met Dr. Fleming when he worked for Clemson at the Strom Thurmond Institute and later when he worked in Washington. He was beyond any doubt one of the finest people I have ever met. A true gentlemen. Sorry to hear of his passing and my deepest sympathy goes out to the entire Fleming family. John N. Hardee (Columbia, S. C.)
Dee Filippone
May 5, 2009
Dear Steve, Patrick and Susan,
I was shocked this morning to read of Horace's passing. He was a kind person and a real gentleman and he will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege to know him.
Steve, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God Bless!
Donna Foster
May 5, 2009
I, too, am fortunate to have been a student in a course taught by Dr. Fleming. He is a true professional educator. I am honored to have been in his classroom at USC. Dr. Fleming gave good feedback, listened carefully, and taught from the heart.
I offer sincere sympathy to his family. I will remember him and his family in my prayers. Dr. Fleming was so proud of his children and spoke of their experiences in his class. May God bless each of you as you reflect on your memories and participate in the future.
Bernie Kramer
May 5, 2009
I am deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Fleming's passing. There are people in your life that you do not forget, and Dr. Fleming is one of those people. He was a true gentleman. It was a privilege to have worked with him at University of the Pacific.
My heartfelt prayers go out to his family, Steve, Susan and Patrick - please always know that I hold a special place in my heart for Horace. May God's Blessings be with you now and always.
Donald Rhodes
May 5, 2009
We express our sincere sympathy to the entire family during this time of loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this time.
Donald and Theresa Rhodes
Randi Doveton
May 5, 2009
May 05, 2009
To the Fleming Family:
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My son graduated from Mercer in May 2008. During his years at Mercer, Dr. Fleming's door was always open, for both parents and students, if there were any issues or questions. Our prayers and sympathy are with you during this difficult time.
Johan Yssel
May 4, 2009
Dear Mrs Fleming and family
I was HONORED and PRIVILEGED to serve as a faculty member while your late husband and father was the President at USM. He was the most incredible and gracious human being I have ever had the opportunity to work with. I share in your loss, as it is my loss as well, and will keep you in my prayers. God speed.
Johan C. Yssel
Ethel Sikes
May 4, 2009
To the family of Dr. Fleming:
I knew Dr. Fleming only for a short time and found him to be a kind and gentle man. He was well respected and well liked among the faculty and staff in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policies, College of Education, University of South Carolina. We are all so sorry for your loss.
Jim and Jane Winn
May 4, 2009
We are deeply touched by Horace's death. Prayers and gentle peace to the family. Much love.
Mitch, Lynn & Matthew Krell
May 3, 2009
Steve, Patrick and Susan,
All three of us are saddened at the news of your loss of Horace. There are no words to express our desire to just hug each one of you at this time.
With love
SCARLETTE ADAMS HENSON
May 3, 2009
I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF THE DEATH OF HORACE JR [KNOWN AS BUNKY FROM OUR CHILDHOOD YEARS] IT SADDENS ME DEEPLY. MAY GOD COMFORT EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY IN THIS SAD TIME.
Dennis Shedd
May 3, 2009
Steve, We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of Horace's passing. I have tried to keep track of you during the years, but I had no idea he was ill. He was our friend and a man of great achievement. We will absolutely miss him. Please give our sympathies to the children, and do not hesitate to call on us if we can do anything for you. We will keep Horace and all of you in our prayers. Dennis and Elaine Shedd
Steve Skelton
May 3, 2009
Horace was truly a great man and I will really miss him. It was a blessing to call him my cousin. My prayers are with Steve and the family.
John & Brooke Skelton
May 3, 2009
We are all saddened to hear of Horace's passing. We love all of you.
Betty Jane Kapla
May 3, 2009
I'm so sorry I can't attend the service. I adored "Bunky" from the time I was born. My love and prayers to you all
Traci
May 3, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. May our Heavenly Father grant you comfort, understanding and hope during this difficult time.
Phillipians 4:6,7
Ecclesiastes 9:11
1 John 5:19
Revelation 21:4
Gray Skelton
May 3, 2009
We have lost a Great Man. I will miss him greatly, and I cry with you in this time of unspeakable hurt. I love you.
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