Frank J. Fleming

Frank J. Fleming UPPER Frank J. Fleming, Jr., 80, peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at home in Dickinson, surrounded by his loving family.

Frank was born October 9, 1943 in Manhattan, New York. He is the oldest of 2 children born to Frank J. Fleming, Sr. and Margaret Luti Fleming.

During his childhood Frank loved playing with his dog Skippy, had a paper route, was heavily involved in scouts and played football in high school. Frank learned service to community by serving as an altar server at church, and later becoming a volunteer fireman. At the age of 19, in February 1963, he married his beautiful wife Mathilda (Mickie) Aug. In July 1966, they loaded up their Chevy Truck and headed to "John Wayne Country" - Texas. They started out in LaPorte, following their best friends Johnny and Franny Pennington, where he worked with Johnny at a car service center. In 1969 he and Mickie moved to Texas City and opened F & J's Phillips 66 Car service center. Then in 1970, Frank returned to what he truly loved; service to community and became a peace officer with the Texas City Police Department. He moved up in the ranks over the years culminating in his last assignment as Sergeant of Detectives. During his years with the police department Frank's desire to help the youth of his community motivated him to become heavily involved in finding ways to end the proliferation of drugs and drug abuse against the youth in the community. Most notably, Frank started the C.H.I.C.K.E.N. Club for elementary school students and the "Just Say No" Club for junior high school students, promoting positive peer pressure for kids of all ages to take a stand against drugs. For many years, Frank was also an integral part of the group, Crime Stoppers in Texas City, now known as Mainland Communities Crime Stoppers. In 1985, Frank retired from the police department to pursue his entrepreneurial interests as a private investigator, capitalizing on his years of investigative experience with his firm Fleming Investigations in Texas City. After retiring from his entrepreneurial endeavors, he took on various security jobs to keep himself occupied and again serve his community. Prior to full retirement, his last career choice was with Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City. In addition to his service of the community in which he lived, Frank also served in his church, St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Community. Frank served as a volunteer coaching the altar servers, as a minister of Holy Communion for the homebound, as well as serving in faith formation through assisting in the teaching of the Rite of Christian Initiation.

Frank is preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by his cherished wife Mickie, their 4 daughters, Doreen Sanders and partner Andy Tirpak of Galveston, Karen Reed and partner Eric Lazenby of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Johnnie Schaper and husband Matt of League City and Sharon LaRosa of League City; 7 grandchildren - Michael, Jessica and wife Sara, Shelby and partner Trevor, Jordan, Judson, Naomi and Ana; 3 great grandchildren - Michael, David and Wren; his beloved sister Patricia Serveiss and husband Greg of Eloy, Arizona, and his nieces, Jean, Donna and Tricia. Dad's life was enriched and blessed with many wonderful friends, including Johnny and Franny Pennington (both deceased), George and Clara Cooley, the late Richard (Chico) Garza, Mike Creech, the late Father Ralph Schmidt and the late Father Tom Cullen.

Frank loved family gatherings for any occasion and eating his favorite homemade Italian Ravioli. He also loved cheese enchiladas, fettuccini alfredo and barbeque; listening to Johnny Cash and Old Country music; watching anything that featured John Wayne or Clint Eastwood and drinking an occasional Shiner Bock beer. He was also known to craft a perfect, Perfect Manhattan.

The family wishes to thank Frank's sister, Patricia Serveiss, for her loving and compassionate care during Frank's final days.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024 beginning at 10:30am at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Texas City, followed by a reception in Ponzini Hall. Burial and final committal will take place at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson.

Frank loved children. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Texas Children's Hospital or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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