FLEMING, RICHARD M.

Richard M. Fleming, Sr., of Lawrenceville, GA, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2010. Richard (Dick) was the fourth of nine children born to Edmund D. Fleming and Delphine Mire Fleming on October 22, 1919 in New Orleans, LA. He is a WWII veteran, having served in the South Pacific with the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, aka Carlson’s Raiders. It was the Raiders who introduced the expression “Gung Ho” to the English language. After 20 years in the Officers Inactive Reserve, he retired with the rank of CWO in 1959. He was a 38 year employee of Armour-U.S. Steel Chemical Division and was transferred to Atlanta from Chicago in 1965. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Frances Donovan Fleming, three brothers, Edmund D. Jr., Robert, and Donald all of New Orleans, LA.; and two sisters, Denise Davis of New Orleans, LA.; and Estelle Kerner of Dallas, TX. He is survived by two sisters, Toby Bassett of Lafayette, LA.; and sister Delphine D.C., of Evansville, IN,; brother, David L. of Yellow Spring, OH.; five children, Rich (Becky), Delphine, Dennis (Kathy), Diane (Barry) Pierce, Donald (Tammy), all of Gwinnett County; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Dick was an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, having served as lector and usher for 38 years. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Holy Cross Building Fund. The funeral mass will be said at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 20, 2010 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with Monsignor Paul Fogarty as celebrant. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Tucker. A wake from 4 – 7:00 PM will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2010, at Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory, Lilburn/Tucker Chapel.