FLEMING, THOMAS CLEARY

Thomas C. Fleming

Sept. 13, 1918 – Oct 26, 2010
Thomas Cleary Fleming passed away peacefully in his home in Phoenix on October 26th, 2010 with his family and his dear friends by his side. Tom is survived by his beloved daughter Mariah Fleming Bowen, son-in-law Ray Bowen (Tempe), two step grandchildren, Jenna and Eric Bowen, his brothers Edwin (Scottsdale) and Art (Milwaukee, WI), and many loving nieces, nephews and friends whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents Mamie and George, his brothers George and Bob and daughter Ann. Tom was born in Kingman, AZ in 1918 and grew up in Flagstaff, AZ. He was the grandson of one of Flagstaff’s founders, Thomas Forsythe McMillan, who built the first homestead in Flagstaff. A US Army veteran, he served with distinction in Europe during WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star. Tom began his banking career in Flagstaff as a teller at The Bank of Douglas before he served in the war. The bank held his job for him and after the war he returned to the Bank of Douglas until 1951 when he moved to Tucson. In Tucson he went to work for The Arizona Bank. He first managed the 902 N. Stone branch and was promoted to manager of the Tucson Downtown branch. In 1964 he was transferred to Phoenix to manage the Installment Loan Department. Tom was named Senior Vice President in 1972. He was known as a tremendous mentor who freely shared his extensive banking knowledge. He retired in 1982, after which he pursued his passions for travel and historic preservation. Tom remained actively involved in Flagstaff during his lifetime, serving on numerous committees. He was a member of the Arizona Historical Society Board and the Northern Arizona Historical Society Board for many years. Tom was devoted to the Roman Catholic Church and served for many years on the Finance Committees of both the Tucson and Phoenix Dioceses. Tom’s life will be commemorated in Phoenix on Thursday, November 4th. A Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 PM followed by a Memorial Service until 8 PM at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue on Friday, November 5th at 1:30 PM. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, November 6th at 1:00 PM at Calvary Cemetery, 201 W. University, Flagstaff. Tom’s daughter wishes to acknowledge the excellent, compassionate care he was blessed with from Dr. Walter Nieri of the Geriatric Fellowship Program in Sun City, Dr. Ira Ehrlich of Phoenix and the Sun Valley Hospice. Tom lived a long and extraordinary life full of service, adventure, good humor, music and love. He will be treasured and missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Museum of Northern Arizona or the Arizona Historical Society.