James E. Fleming

February 21, 2011

James E. Fleming, 63, of Pottsville, died unexpectedly Monday at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Pottsville, May 29, 1947, he was a son of Kathleen Costas Fleming, Pottsville, and the late James L. Fleming, who passed away Oct. 10, 2010.

He was a 1965 graduate of Pottsville High School, after which he enlisted in the Army Security Agency and received his training at Fort Deven, Mass., as a Morse code interceptor and served two tours in Vietnam. James received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

James attended three years at Penn State University and received his bachelor's degree from Western State University, San Diego, which included two years of law training.

James was a medical transcriptionist for 15 years in Reading and Naples, Fla.

He returned to Pottsville in March 2010 to care for his mother and father.

Surviving are his mother, Kathleen Costas Fleming; four children, Janell Flanagan, Port Carbon, James E. Fleming II, Arlington, Mass., Samantha Fleming, Cambridge, Mass., and David Fleming, Orwigsburg; seven grandchildren, John, Kathleen and Emily Flanagan and Tyler, Jordan, Shannon and Brianna Fleming; his loving and caring fiancee, Kathy Frey, Berwick.

Celebration of life services will be held at 11 a.m. today  at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc., Pottsville, with the Rev. Warren L. Baughman officiating. A visitation with the family will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial at the family plot in Odd Fellows Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to Hillside SPCA, Hillside Road, Pottsville, PA 17901 and St. Patrick Soup Kitchen, c/o St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901. Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc., Pottsville, is in charge of arrangements.