Mike Fleming

Greensboro-Michael B. Fleming, 94, a native of Greensboro and retired president and co-owner of Fleming-Shaw Transfer & Storage, Inc., died October 6, 2014 at Pennybyrn at Maryfield. A memorial service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 1. The family will receive friends during a reception following the service at the church.

He was a graduate of Greensboro Senior High School and of High Point College (now University) magna cum laude. He attended the George Washington University and did graduate work at the American University in Washington and the American University Beirut. In 2002 he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from UNCG.

In 1942 he enlisted as an apprentice seaman in the US Navy, was commissioned in 1949 and saw duty in the Caribbean, Middle East and Far East areas. He served 35 years' active and reserve duty and in 1977 retired as Captain, US Navy Reserve. During 1970-72 Fleming was commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Intelligence Division, Sixth Naval District, for which he received the Navy Commendation Medal.

His deep involvement in civic activities over the years touched nearly every aspect of community life. In 1985 he served as General Chairman of the United Way of Greater Greensboro campaign and in 1987 as chairman of the board, and founded the local Alexis de Tocqueville Society. He served as president of the Guilford County Reserve Officers' Association, the Greensboro Unit, American Cancer Society, the Better Business Bureau of Guilford County, the Greensboro Civitan Club, the Shepherd's Center of Greensboro, president and board chairman Junior Achievement of Greensboro, chairman Organization and Extension, General Greene Council, Boy Scouts of America and chairman of the Board of Advisors Friends Homes, Inc. He was a charter member of both the Greensboro Opera Company and the Greensboro City Club. Fleming served on the board of directors of the Greensboro Chapter, American Red Cross, United Arts Council, Greensboro Lyric Theater, Guilford County March of Dimes, Triad Sickle Cell Foundation, Goodwill Industries, Old Greensboro Preservation Society, Greensboro Historical Museum, United Services for Older Adults, Mental Health Association in Greensboro and was twice elected to the board of the Greater Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, of which he was an honorary life member. He was elected twice to the board of the Greensboro Merchants Association.

Fleming served two terms on the board of trustees at UNCG, and served 22 years on the board of trustees at Oak Ridge Military Academy, of which he was an honorary alumnus. In 1998 he founded and chaired the first Oak Ridge board of visitors in the 20th century. He also was on the board of visitors at Greensboro College and High Point College (now University) and on the board of directors of the Friends of the School of Education at N.C. A&T State University.

Fleming served on several governmental commissions and task forces, including the Greensboro Dialogue Task Force, Greensboro One Task Force, Greensboro One Bond Committee, Coliseum Study Committee and in 1987 co-chaired "Citizens for the Coliseum Complex", Finance Committee of Greensboro Visions, Greensboro Human Relations (1965-71), Finance Committee of the Guilford County Bi-Centennial Commission (1969-72), and was a member of North Carolina Board of Transportation (1977-81), representing Guilford, Alamance, Caswell, Orange and Rockingham counties.

He was also the recipient of numerous awards and citations. In 1962 he was named High Point College Alumnus of the Year and in 1967 was the first recipient of the "Outstanding Civic Leader of the Year" given by the Greensboro Inter-Club Council. He received the Chamber of Commerce Nathanael Greene award and in 1989 received the Greensboro Chamber's top "Distinguished Citizen" award. In 1991 he was inducted into Junior Achievement's Greensboro Business Leaders Hall of Fame. In 1993 he received the prestigious "Brotherhood Citation" from the Greensboro Chapter, National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Since 1965 he has been very involved in activities at UNCG. In addition to being a trustee two terms, he served eight years on the board of the Excellence Foundation, and in 1994, by action of the UNCG board of trustees the gym in the Health and Human Performance building was named the Michael B. Fleming Gymnasium. He was instrumental in moving the athletic program to Division I status. In 2001 he was a charter member of the UNCG Athletic Hall of Fame, inducted as a supporter. In 2003, as a representative of UNCG, he was among ten charter members who received the Distinguished Service Award from the Southern Conference.

A sports enthusiast, Fleming was president of the Greensboro Community Baseball Club in the 1960s when the professional Class A team was locally owned. In 1991, at the annual "Hot Stove League" banquet, he received the Mayor's Cup trophy for interest and contributions to local baseball.

Having traveled extensively throughout the world and visiting in all fifty states, his belief was that it is a big, wide, wonderful world with room enough for all races, nationalities and religions. In the early 1960s, he spearheaded the integration of the Chamber of Commerce, the Reserve Officers' association, the Greensboro Interclub Council, the Greensboro Civitan Club and other local organizations.

Fleming was often asked to run for public office but always preferred to be involved behind the scenes. In 1968 he organized and led the Guilford County Bob Scott gubernatorial campaign. In 1972 he was Guilford County coordinator of the Hargrove "Skipper" Bowles gubernatorial campaign. He served as Guilford campaign manager for Governor James B. Hunt's 1976, 1980 and 1984 campaigns.

Fleming joined Christ United Methodist Church in February 1964 and has served on various boards, commissions and committees, including the administrative board, finance committee, endowment, long-range planning, pastor-parish relations, visitation, and communion to shut-ins. In 1986 Mike chaired the annual stewardship campaign. He was a member of the Asbury Sunday School class and the United Methodist Men.

He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Andrew, Sr. and Mary Cottrell Fleming, his identical twin brother Robert A. Fleming, Jr., and a sister Martha F. Edmondson. He is survived by a long-time special friend Wanda L. Russell; sister-in-law Cecile Y. Fleming of Annandale, Virginia; nieces Andrea F. Thomas of Aubrey, Texas; Carolyn F. Spencer of Alpharetta, GA; Rebecca E. Choplin of Pfafftown; Betsy E. Vernon of Pfafftown; and several great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to scholarship funds he established at UNCG, High Point University, Greensboro College, Oak Ridge Military Academy and the Emma Wilson Scholarship at N.C. A&T State University or to a charity of choice. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Mike’s long-term caregivers, Teacora Bowman and Sheila McCauley, and the entire staff of Pennybyrn at Maryfield for their care and devotion.

Inurnment will be private at Westminster Gardens in Greensboro. Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel is assisting the Fleming family. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.