Jan Ruhl Fleagle

Jan Ruhl Fleagle, 87, died Monday October 20, 2025, at Moses Cone Hospital. Born March 3, 1938, in Dauphin County, PA, he was the son of the late Frank Ruhl Fleagle and Dorothy Miller Fleagle. As a child Jan was an enthusiastic participant in the WW II Salvage For Victory effort at home. He was an Eagle Scout and as a member of the track team began his long-time love of running.

He met the love of his life, and future wife Gail Shatto, when singing in the children’s church choir and came to know each other in Sunday school classes and at Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, PA.

Jan became a member of the JROTC while in college at Penn State University studying Mathematics. He married Gail, his wife of 65 years, after joining the US Marine Corps. Stationed at Camp LeJeune, NC, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was active duty during the time of the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Jan's career started with Burlington Mills/Industries in the early days of computers, when a single computer filled a whole room. He was a Systems Analyst with them until a hostile takeover attempt caused massive layoffs. The last chapter of Jan's career was in the airline industry with Piedmont Air and then USAir.

This provided the opportunity, which he seized with both wings, for Jan to become a world traveler along with Gail. Of all the many places they visited, Guatemala was his favorite. He returned there many times on church mission projects to help Guatemalans help themselves as much as they could.

Jan and Gail settled and raised their family in Greensboro where he was a supportive husband and father. He was present, in the truest sense, at every important as well as not important events in his two son’s lives. This was also true for his grandchildren and his great grandchildren as much as he was able. He was a good neighbor and active in many circles of close friends.

Aside from being a human encyclopedia, amateur photographer, bird watcher, lighthouse enthusiast, civil and revolutionary war buff, good artist, and a great problem solver. Jan was the epitome of "never met a stranger.” He was liked by everyone he met and was constantly striking up conversations with complete strangers, teaching the lesson of patience to his waiting family.

Jan will be missed more than words can describe. He is survived by his wife Gail Fleagle; son, Jeff Fleagle and his children, Benjamin, Kali, and Maya, son, Scott Fleagle and wife, Joy; grandchildren, Ashley Fleagle, Kristen Tuttle and husband Andrew, their children Skylar, Wyatt, and Harper Ann, Aaron Fleagle and wife, Katie and brother, Gary Fleagle and wife Karen.

A memorial service to celebrate Jan’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 26, in the Lineberry Center at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Street, followed by a reception and gathering at the funeral home, 515 North Elm Street, Greensboro.

A private burial with Military Honors provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard will occur on Monday October 27 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Well-Spring Solutions, 5603 New Garden Village Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 well-springsolutions.org