George L. Fleming, Sr.

George L. Fleming, Sr., loving husband, dedicated family man and proud grandfather, died peacefully Sunday, June 8, in Phoenix surrounded by his family. He was 88. Born in Ligonier, Pennsylvania in 1920 to John Makuta and Mary Maguscak, Mr. Fleming grew up in Curtisville, PA. A budding career as a semi-pro baseball pitcher was cut short when he was called to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, Mr. Fleming moved to Phoenix with his sister, Mary. Taking a job with Central Arizona Light and Power at the company’s Aguafria Steam Plant in west Phoenix, he began a 33-year career as a system load supervisor with the utility that would later become Arizona Public Service. At a ‘To-Get-Acquainted’ dance at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish in 1947 Mr. Fleming met Margaret Clare Clark of Phoenix; they were married in 1949. Mr. Fleming is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret, brothers William Fleming Helen of Albuquerque, NM, and Robert Fleming Carole of Tucson, as well as sons Larry Janelle, Richard and Patrick, and daughters Peggy Bob Wetzel and Elizabeth Fleming, DDS Jim Shepard. Mr. Fleming had nine grandchildren: Jamie, Colleen and Jennifer Fleming; Jesse and Christy Fleming; Julian and Cole Fleming, and Dylan and Jacque Shepard. He was preceded in death by his brothers, John, Joseph and Andrew, and sisters, Helen and Mary. The family wishes to thank Lookout Mountain Assisted Living Home for the loving and dedicated care shown Mr. Fleming during the last years of his life, particularly by caregivers Germie and Zeny for treating ‘Father George’ as their own. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will take place Thursday, June 12, at 10 a.m. at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave. Entombment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St. Arrangements by Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.

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