Kenneth Blair Fleming

Kenneth Blair Fleming, 88, died peacefully with family by his side, on January 20 after a short illness, at Norman Regional Hospital. He was born on October 9, 1935, in Wellsville, NY, the son of Blair Gideon and Dorcas May (Pierce) Fleming.

Kenneth known as “Ken” graduated from High School in Mt. Dora, Florida. Following graduation, he entered the military service completing Marine Corp bootcamp. After bootcamp he transferred from the Marine corps for a career in the U.S. Navy. Having received 5 good conduct medals, and a National Defense Medal, he was highly esteemed by enlisted men and officers alike. Serving as a Chief Air Controlman his duty stations included Florida, Guam, California, and Tennessee and two 6-month cruises on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga in the Mediterranean Sea. After 20 years of faithful service, he retired from the Navy in 1976, and settled in Tennessee for a short period of time before being recruited by the Federal Aviation Administration to Norman, Oklahoma where he trained Air Traffic Controllers for future generations. Ken loved all things Navy and proudly wore his U.S Navy retired hat and appreciated the kind words of “Thanks for your service, sir.” Ken’s joy was also his love of children as evidenced by the numerous cartoon caricatures that he carved and painted from wood that now adorn numerous backyards.

In 1959 he met and married the love of his life Anna Irene Taylor when he was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. Anna, as a military wife served alongside keeping hearth and home and harmony in their very busy family life. In 1965 Timothy Blair was born and made family a reality for Ken and Anna. In 1969 Tammy Irene made their family complete. The family faithfully attended Baptist churches in their various places of duty. A strong faith in God and a love for the Bible kept him occupied as he studied and created Bible studies to teach Sunday School groups even into his last days.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Anna. Surviving are his son Timothy and his wife, Missy, of Norman, Oklahoma, his daughter Tammy of Edmonds, Washington. Grandchildren Jessica and husband Jerry Miller, Justin Fleming and wife Haley and Taylor Fleming and wife Tiffany, Katy Merkle, and Nathan, Lauren, and Paul Rodriguez, and 4 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in recognition of Ken’s life may be made to the Northeast Baptist Church, Building Fund in Norman, Oklahoma. https://www.nebaptist.com/

A visitation for Kenneth will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Primrose Funeral Service, 1109 North Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Primrose Funeral Service.