Jack Lloyd Fleming

MISSOULAâ�,��**– Jack Lloyd "Buddy" Fleming was born Nov. 24, 1923, in Missoula to John Rourick Fleming and Lilly Constance Ahlin Fleming. He died unexpectedly Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. He was a resident of Missoula from 1994 until his death.

At the untimely death of his parents, Jack, age 4, and two of his five siblings, were sent to the Moose Lodge Orphanage at Moosehart, Ill., where he was raised and graduated from high school. He immediately joined the U.S. Navy on May 27, 1941. He was a signalman first class during the World War II and was honorably discharged Nov. 13, 1945.

Jack then attended Seattle College, the University of Chicago and graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in English literature in 1951. He taught in Orofino, Idaho, for many years, retiring at age 65. While there, he met and married Betty Jane Ball Cummings in June 1965 and was later divorced in October 1994.

A love for Missoula was always in Jack's heart and he returned to his birth home in 1994, where he would live out the rest of his life. He worked as a volunteer and cook at the Missoula Senior Citizens Center for seven years. He delighted the diners with new and creative menu items, which he excelled in making for them.

Jack spent the past eight years living at the Missoula Manor. He wrote and published many forms of poetry. He also contributed his opinions to the Missoulian's "letters to the editor" section. Some were published, some were not!

Jack was an avid reader and he loved and listened to a variety of music. The Fact and Fiction Bookstore was frequented often for conversation, strong coffee and good books. Birdwatching was a favorite pastime and the walking trails in and around Missoula allowed him to enjoy a variety of birds and wildlife that he often included in his poetry.

His was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, and is survived by his two nieces, Skippy DuCharme of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Pat Perrenoud of Otis Orchards, Wash.; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

Jack requested no service and any contributions can be made in his honor directly to the Missoula Manor, 909 W. Central Ave., Missoula, MT 59801.

Read Jack Fleming's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.