James B. Fleming

James B. Fleming: Former food company executive; humanitarian; survivor of rare domino heart transplant James B. Fleming, Sr. of Scottsdale, Arizona, died November 26, 2005 after a long illness at his home at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale. He was 69. Jim Fleming was the son of the founder of Fleming Foods, Inc. and a long-time Arizona resident. Born in Topeka, Kansas, to Ned and Virginia Fleming, Jim graduated from The Southern Arizona School for Boys and the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. He completed graduate studies at Harvard University before returning to Topeka to manage the store development operations of the rapidly growing family food company. Following a severe heart attack in Salt Lake City Utah, Jim returned to Arizona where he received a second chance at life on March 3, 1989 with a rare 'domino' heart transplant performed by a team of doctors directed by Dr. Jack Copeland at the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson. Ever grateful for the second chance at life, Jim devoted the rest of his life to promoting numerous charitable activities and programs related to heart transplantation and other 'gift of life' issues. Among his many humanitarian activities, Jim was a major contributor to and fund-raiser for the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, where he served as the National Campaign Chair and served on the Board of Directors. He was President of The New Heart Society of Arizona and co-founder of the Arizona Save-a-Life Alliance. He also served as vice president of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Carefree, Arizona. A businessman by training, Jim Fleming was also a musician by conviction in his early college days. He played guitar and organized a touring band, accompanying such singing stars as Lou Rawles and appearing on popular musical programs including American Bandstand with Dick Clark. One of his greatest claims to fame, Jim would say in later years, was the time he 'backed up Elvis Presely.' Another great claim to fame was a four handicap on the golf course at Desert Mountain. 'Not bad for an old guy given up for dead a few years ago.' Jim would like to say. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra, three children and eight grandchildren: Daughter, Sydney Lynn Lanzilotta of Athens, Ga; a son, Jim Fleming, Jr. of Alexandra, VA; a son, Ned Fleming III of Dallas, TX; and a sister-in-law, Wilma Fleming of Comanche, TX. Funeral services will be held at Christ The Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Rd., Carefree, 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005. Following, will be a memorial reception at Desert Mountain at 2:15. Burial will be a private ceremony Friday, December 2 at Paradise Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ. 85724 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 5656.