Gene Fleming

Lifelong farmer and Arizona native, Gene Fleming, 85, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 20, 2011, at Banner Good Samaritan in Phoenix, the same hospital where he was born August 19, 1925. The majority of his life was spent on the family farm, 115th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road in Cashion, established by his parents, Q. E. “Jake” and Marcia Wallis Fleming. When Fleming Thoroughbred Farm was sold and relocated to Willcox in 2006, Gene and his wife, Jodie, moved to Pebble Creek in Goodyear. Gene was a 1943 graduate of Tolleson Union High School, and served in the military, U.S. Army. He married Nancy Joan “Jodie” Roberds on March 10, 1950. In 1972, Gene was elected to the Council of the Salt River Project. He was appointed to the Board in January 1998. In 2002, Gene was appointed to serve as Board Liaison to the Councils, a position he held for 5 years. He remained on the Board until his retirement in 2007, serving a total of 35 years in this organization for which he had the utmost respect for its leaders and employees. Gene was also a member of the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association. During the 5+ decades he was in this organization, he served in every officer position, most recently as its Vice President. It was his service to an industry that he loved and desired to see flourish in Arizona.

Gene loved his family and friends. He was the kind of person everyone wanted to be around. His engaging personality, positive outlook, and great sense of humor brought joy and laughter to all who knew him. He always had a story or joke to tell. Gene loved the state of Arizona. He took the family on fishing trips to the White Mountains every summer, camping out in tents, with campfires every night. He and Jodie spent time at their place in Prescott, enjoying their friends and attending the races at Prescott/Yavapai Downs. The last few years he loved going to the southeast part of the state, watching the new horse farm being built by his sons in Willcox. He and Jodie were looking forward to a springtime trip to Willcox to see the new foals, but it was not to be. Gene is survived by his wife of 60 years Jodie, brother Wallis, sister-in-law Mary, two daughters Carolyn Hardison (Leon), Jolene Larson, and two sons, Marvin (Debbie), Gerald (Teri). He was grandpa to 7 granddaughters: Wende Macumber (Patrick), Jalyn Rheinhardt (Lee), Janae Gillum (Jess), Kaci Fleming, Laramie Fleming, Karlea Fleming, Cheyenne Fleming, and 5 grandsons: Jake Fleming (Rachel), Jason Hardison (Michelle), Jarrod Wells (Megan), Russell Fleming (Lesley), Gerald Fleming. He was great-grandpa to 7, with 2 more due this year. Nieces, nephews and a large circle of friends were also touched by the life of Gene Fleming. The family would like to thank the excellent doctors and nurses at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital for their compassionate care of Gene. We also appreciate his caregivers at La Loma Care Center during his hip replacement rehabilitation. In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make contributions in Gene’s memory to: Grace Fellowship Church/Academy 1300 N. Miller Rd. Buckeye, AZ 85326 or

WHS Athletics-Willcox High School c/o M. Tapia 480 N. Bisbee Ave. Willcox 85643. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 23, 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Greenwood Memory Lawn Chapel, 719 N 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009. A Memorial Celebration of Gene’s life will be Thursday, February 24, 11:00 a.m., at Desert Springs Community Church, 14440 W. Indian School Rd., Goodyear 85395.