Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 16, 2025

Charlotte, North Carolina - George William Fleming, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and father-in-law, passed away on January 16, 2026.

George was born in Roanoke, VA on March 10, 1925, to George William Fleming IV and Nell Hargadon Fleming and grew up in Roanoke, VA along the Roanoke River. When he wasn’t playing along the river or in Boy Scouts, he and his friends would bike to the top of Jefferson Street to his school, St Andrew’s Catholic School, and race 1.5 miles all the way to the bottom without stopping, dodging traffic lights, horses and street cars. George rode his bike until he learned to drive at age 12.

The Fleming family moved their business, Fleming Specialty Company, to Charlotte in 1940. They saw greater opportunity and an ideal location for serving the substantial number of small family farms that were raising chickens and livestock across the Southeast. Working together in the family business offered the invaluable opportunity to be together on a regular basis throughout their childhood and adult lives.

George attended Charlotte Central High School and graduated early at the age of 16. Being so young, George lived at home for his first year at Belmont Abbey College. After his sophomore year, with World War II underway, he entered the Navy’s V12 program at Georgia Tech. There he began the lengthy process of being prepared for the war by going to the Officer Candidate School and to Deck School at Columbia University Officer Line School and finally to Gulfport, MS for the Navy’s Recognition School.

In 1945, right after the Japanese surrendered, George was assigned to the USS Battleship North Carolina. Eventually, he requested the Shanghai duty to bring a fleet of ships back from the Pacific to Oregon. So, in a rare move, the Navy released him from the USS NC to the 7th fleet in Shanghai. He was assigned to a landing craft support (LCS), joining a group of LCS’s that pulled out of the Huangpu River and made their way to Oahu, HA. The ship had no electronic navigation, and George, though only an ensign, was tasked with navigating across the Pacific to the Willamette River in Oregon. He accomplished this by taking sights of the stars and moon – despite several cloudy days and nights. The crew was amazed that their little LC 78 sailed directly to the Willamette. And George, “I can’t tell you how relieved, and thankful, I was!”

George completed his junior and senior years at Georgia Tech, graduating in mechanical engineering in 1947. He then returned to Charlotte, joining Fleming Specialty Company. As a bright, handsome, and degreed young man, he was sent on the road selling. After several years, and with the animal drug business in its infancy, George saw an opportunity and formed Fleming Laboratories in 1956. The products manufactured were animal feed and water additives developed to help raise healthy livestock. As Fleming Labs continued to grow and expand, they developed customers in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and South America. George was involved with every aspect of the business –strategy, product development, plant and equipment design, installation, operations, sales, distribution, and the financials. He had to conduct chemical process “reactions” throughout the night in his laboratory, which were never fully understood by his family, on frequent evenings.

One of George’s passions was travel. Fortunately, Fleming Labs allowed George to visit customers in Spain, Belgium, Mexico, and the UK. During his bachelor years, he would mix work with pleasure and travel with friends to Italy, Germany, France, and Ireland, where he visited with relatives in County Sligo. George and friends embarked on trans-Atlantic trips to Europe on the SS United States and the SS America.

George was introduced to Helen Adams through friends in Charlotte. He went on a retreat in Southern Pines with Louis Stephens whose sister-in-law lived in New York City. He suggested George look up Helen. And as luck would have it, he soon found himself there for business and secured his first dinner date with Helen. Another trip to see her soon followed, and Helen reciprocated with a Charlotte visit to meet the Flemings, with a notice in the Charlotte Observer. This was followed by a trip to Palm Beach for George to meet the Adams family, and subsequent wedding there in 1959.

George and Helen had four children – Helen “Honey,” Ann, George, and Joanie. He was committed to making every effort to ensure his children received quality educations and that they were as prepared as possible in life and work. Enthusiastically the avid traveler, he methodically researched and planned fun and educational adventures for the family, knowing this was one of life’s greatest educations.

George’s Catholic faith was foundational to the person he was and how he engaged with others. He was consistently thoughtful about others’ wellbeing, genuinely interested in them and generous in his willingness to help. He was a UMAR (now Monarch) board member, committed to providing an excellent independent living for Honey and other residents and participants. He and his wife Helen were involved in engaging Ben Long to paint the former frescoes at their beloved St. Peter Catholic Church. He was an active supporter of Belmont Abbey. He was an original member of the Lynwood Foundation of Duke Mansion. He was a member of Charlotte Country Club, Charlotte City Club, and the Mint Museum.

All who were blessed to know George appreciate the “prince” that he was. His kindness, humor, charm, generosity, genuine compassion, and integrity define his legacy. Asking oneself “What would George say or do?” will keep his family and friends tethered to him always.

George was predeceased by his brother Hugh Patrick Fleming, his wife, Helen Adams Fleming, and his sister Ellen Fleming Gibson. George is survived by his children: Helen "Honey" Fleming, Ann Fleming Bourgeois, George William Fleming VI (Caroline), and Joanie Fleming Lamb (Brent Skidmore); his six grandchildren, Aidan, Conlan and Skyler Lamb, Nicholas and Amelia Fleming, and Fleming Bourgeois. He is also survived by his many nephews and nieces, especially his sister’s daughters Ellen Moseley (Garrett) and Melissa Estes (Bryan).

George’s family is forever grateful for the devoted and compassionate support provided by his Dream Team of caregivers: Vannessa Arnett, Clunie Kouassi, Emmy Belay, Ilene Simmons, Kim Vybihal, Sharon Dye, CeCe Udeh, Carolina Morales, Rhonda Burris, and Jerry Dean Pojah. And we offer heartfelt thanks to Dr. Alyson Shogan of Perspective Health & Wellness.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 14 at 11:00 AM at St. Peter Catholic Church at 507 S. Tryon Street in Charlotte NC. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink or red, or hearts, if so inclined.

A reception will follow at the home of his daughter Ann Bourgeois at 1128 Berkeley Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of George Fleming to MonarchNC formerly UMAR at www.Monarch-Bloom.Kindful.com. Please select the UMAR Legacy Fund.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.