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BORN
1937
DIED
2024
Charles Fleming Obituary
Fleming was the first African American to own and manage a full-service architecture and engineering firm in Missouri. Fleming Corporation, founded in 1978, established offices in St. Louis, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, New Orleans and Memphis. The firm employed as many as 110 employees. Mr. Fleming's 60-year career in design and construction-related projects includes housing, education, transportation, environmental, planning, and construction management, with a construction cost value of 3 billion dollars. Fleming's work continues to be cited and studied in architectural programs throughout the United States.
Fleming was instrumental in establishing Gateway Bank in St. Louis, Missouri, one of the first financial institutions owned by African Americans and located in the African American community. He and numerous other investors and business leaders piloted the historic bank, which financed many projects and provided unfounded opportunities for African Americans.
Charles Fleming was preceded in death by his parents, Phil Jr. and Ernestine Gaskin Fleming, his sibling Phil Fleming III, and his wife, Janice Reef-Fleming. A memorial celebration will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the downtown St. Louis, Missouri Athletic Club. A reception will immediately follow the program.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Fleming
CHARLES L BUSSEY
July 13, 2025
I remember at an early age working with W.A. Thomas who worked with Charles to do major projects all over Saint Louis. Many of those projects current Saint Louisans have no idea how important they were rebuilding Saint Louis.
Sandra Thomas Nobles
August 22, 2024
Found this picture in my parents photo album.
Sandra Thomas Nobles
August 12, 2024
It was an honor and a great privilege to know and work for you. I will never forget what a source of inspiration Mr. Fleming was to me. Please accept my sincere condolences to the Gaskin/Fleming family.
Charles Bussey
August 12, 2024
Thank you for all you did for me and Saint Louis. Tell W.A. hello for me. R.I.P.
John Gaskin III
July 30, 2024
Like any person who was a humble person, he seldom referenced his work nor his connections. He was unassuming and humble in every sense of the word. He was proud of where he came from. His beginnings humble, yet a foundation that gave him a stepping stone to impact far beyond just Richmond heights. From Ferguson to Fresno, to Nigeria to Naples Florida, Fleming made a difference in places and spaces that are powerful beyond measure. As a descendant of Ernestine and Phil Fleming, by way of Richard Alen Gaskin, Sr., and Ruby L. Gaskin, I am honored to say that the ancestors are likely pleased. May your memory forever be a blessing.
Kaven Swan
July 28, 2024
I will miss my mentor, friend and constant supporter! I learned so much from Charles. Following him around Washington DC, Atlanta, NY, San Francisco, Black Mayors Conference and many more, it was a gift to learn from which my foundation and who I am today!
Birdel F. Jackson, III, PE, F ASCE
July 24, 2024
My Memories of Charle Fleming
My wife´s Edith´s uncle, Ed Turner suggested Charles Fleming hire me, a civil engineer, to reopen his Atlanta office. We developed a strategy which focused on providing services to architects in the Atlanta reginal market. Our office was supplemented by engineering capabilities from the St Louis and Washington DC offices. Charles allowed me the opportunity to serve as a member of his senior staff. For the next 5 years Fleming Corporation expanded the service offerings and client base in the southeast to include federal and military clients. Later, Charles, wanting to consolidate operations, offered me the opportunity to purchase the office. I obliged. My wife Edith DeShields Jackson and I embarked on a multi decade journey providing services to clients in the Midwest and Southeast under the banner of our name´s sake, B&E Jackson & Associates. We will be forever grateful for the opportunity to prosper because of the benevolence of Charles E. Fleming, FAIA. May you rest in peace.
Birdel and Edith DeShields Jackson, Alpharetta GA
Donzella Jordan
July 23, 2024
A beautiful kind genius
Jordan Family
Donnie, Shelby, & Erica
Michael E. Willis, FAIA
July 22, 2024
My memory of Charles has a lot to do with my being where I am today. I met my future bride Iris when I went to UC Berkeley from St. Louis to teach one semester in 1980. We connected. I had been working with Charles from graduation at our alma mater Washington University from 1976 until I went to Berkeley. When I got back to St. Louis, I went to work for another architect, from 1980 to1982. I bumped into Charles at Nordstrom´s in Ladue on the escalator and told him that I was moving to SF. He said, "Why don´t you take the office with you?" I said I´d think about it. I already had a job interview set up in SF. I went to visit Iris on a vacation, called the perspective firm, and while I was on hold, I thought about Charles´ offer and hung up. I enjoyed the rest of my vacation with Iris, went back to STL and told Charles I would take him up on his offer and would open his SF office. Iris and I got married in June of 1982 in STL at the Civic Courts Building, I shipped the furniture out of my apartment, and we drove to SF to open Fleming Corporation in a windowless room on Maiden Lane. Charles would come by from time to time, we´d meet in the St. Francis Hotel across Union Square. He´d order a vodka martini and asked how were things going. He let me run with a handful of brochures and some contacts he´d already made in the City. I had grown the office from myself to 14 people. I opened my own office in 1988, and retired from it in 2016. Charles came by my birthday party in St. Louis in 2021 to see me turn 70. He was an amazing man. I will miss him dearly.
Anderson (CHUB) DAVIS
July 22, 2024
The FATHER I NEVER HAD, WHO TAUGHT ME ABOUT THE ETHICS OF WORKING AND ALLOWED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK 4 HIM AND FLEMING CO. SINCE I WAS 10 YRS OLD,STARTING FROM WORKING AT HIS HOUSE WITH MY UNCLE ROBERT MCNEAL AND AND FLEMING CORPORATION UNTIL I BECAME DISABLED. LOVE HIM JUST LIKE MY REAL FATHER. MY COMPLETE AND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. WILL B PRAYING 4 U ALL
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