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In Memory

Garry Fleming

Garry Fleming

GARRY A. FLEMING 1941-2015 MADISON, Wis.

— Garry A. Fleming, 73, died April 21, 2015. Garry was born April 29,1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Allen F. Fleming and Dorthy L. (Summers) Fleming. He attended grade school in Cincinnati, before moving to Galesburg with his parents.

He attended Lombard Junior High, playing basketball, football and running track. At Lombard, he was an honor roll student, and became the first African-American president of the Student Council. He attended Galesburg High School where he played sports and excelled in academics, graduating in 1959.

Garry went next to Knox College on a scholarship while simultaneously serving as director of Carver Center. In 1967, Garry moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, to become executive director of the anti-poverty program for Rock County. He met and married Lutecia Bicchieri there, and later moved to Madison and entered the University of Wisconsin.

While at Madison, Garry taught diversified social understanding to police and correctional officers.

He went on to attend the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis. Garry worked with social programs in both cities while furthering his education, and somehow managed to take online courses from other schools.

Garry was well known for his constant pursuit of knowledge, believing the problems of mankind could be resolved through education and its various disciplines. He was a music lover 'particularly the Blues genre' of which he had vast knowledge of its history and its foundational artist.

Garry was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents and stepfather, John M. Lovelace; 12 aunts and two uncles.

He leaves behind a half-sister, Alana Brooks of Durham, North Carolina; a cousin (adopted brother), Greg (Cathy) Lovelace of Riverside, California; an uncle, Harold R. Fleming of Raleigh, North Carolina; three stepsons, Marco Bicchieri of Ellensburg, Washington, Leon Bicchieri of Chicago, and Pedro Bicchierri of Ellensburg, Washington; a cousin, Vicky (William) Cooper of Raleigh, North Carolina; five double first cousins, Carolyn (Fleming) Finley of Galesburg, Illinois, Paulette (Jerry) Gilmore of Geneseo, Illinois, Michael (Gail) Fleming of Galesburg, Illinois, Walter Fleming of Peoria, Illinois, and Glenn (Barbara) Fleming of Swanee, Georgia; and many maternal cousins and a large extended family and many friends.

A celebration of life will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 12, 2015, at 156 Main in Galesburg.

Any donations are asked to be given to any humanitarian program of the donor's choice.

 
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07/09/15 08:48 AM #1    

Adale Lauver Finch (Tessman)

So sorry to hear of Garry's passing.  I have checked the obituary archives here in Mpls and don't find anything, so guess I didn't miss it in the paper.  I had just visited with him last August before we headed to Galesburg for the reunion to see if he was able to come.  After returning home I called him to relay the stories we all heard about Alva and he had me print out and mail him copies of the articles.  Even though we were both in the Mpls area I had only visited with him a few times.  I did have lunch with him a couple of times and we had great visits about our days at Weston Grade School when he first arrived in town.  Also about what good times we had growing up in Galesburg in spite of the turmoil of the times.  We laughed about what folks would say if they saw us having lunch together!  He was a great guy and made his presence felt wherever he was and whatever the situation.  He was in our Star Tribune more than a few times making a difference here in Mpls.  He was always a good friend and will be missed by many.  RIP Flem!!


07/09/15 04:55 PM #2    

Jennefer Wetherford (Eldert)

 I remember Gary.too, at Lombaed! I voted for him for class president!  He always had a smile!  RIP!

 


07/10/15 08:33 AM #3    

Janet Terpening (Drummond)

So sorry to hear this.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

 


07/10/15 08:47 AM #4    

John Sauter

Garry was my friend at Weston School.  We walked home together after school on several occasions.  We were both crossing guards as "patrol boys" for Weston.  More recently, but still several years ago, I had a few long phone talks with Garry, remembering fondly our Galesburg days.  He was a "good guy" and I will miss him.  John Sauter


07/10/15 09:04 AM #5    

Amy (Blanche) Elam (Wareham)

So sorry to hear this news.

 


07/11/15 01:54 PM #6    

Vern Dargel

I only had interaction with Garry while at GHS, but it was almost as though it was a providential experience as we both had respect for each other, & consequently could talk about almost anything.  He is a classmate I'll miss, but thankfully, he left many good memories.  I had often wondered where he moved to after HS, & most of the classmates I asked did not know.  RIP, Garry.    Vern


07/11/15 08:51 PM #7    

Jerry D Johnson

So very sorry to hear of Garry's passing.  I always enjoyed being with Garry during the high school days and am very impressed with all the wonderful things he did after graduating.  My condolences to Garry's family.  He will be missed.  


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