John Lee Fleming

Dr. John Lee Fleming, age 82, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., entered into eternal bliss on December 12, 2023 with his family by his side. His Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 18, 2023, at Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with The Rev. Paul Pradat officiating and Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations directing. Visitation with the family will be held in Randall Hall following the service at Christ Episcopal Church. John Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. John Edwin “Sandy” Fleming and Ellie B. Fleming; uncle, George Washington “Pete” Fleming; aunt, Jeanette Howard Fleming; wife, June Rudder Fleming; and nephew, John Robert “Robbie” Pritchard. Survivors include his sister, Margaret Fleming Pritchard (Buster) of Jackson, Ala.; son, John Fleming (Dava) of Huntsville, Ala, daughter, Dr. Jennifer Whitcomb (Scott) of Meridian, Miss.; sister-in-law, Jan South of Jackson, Ala.; brother-in-law, Paul South of Jackson, Ala.; grandchildren, Josh, Kaitlyn, Lexi and Isaac Fleming, Baker and Jackson Whitcomb and Michael Hammonds; four nieces and nephews; and six great grandchildren. John Lee was a devoted son, husband, brother, and father. He was born on October 19, 1941 in Mobile and spent his childhood and adolescence in Jackson, Alabama. He graduated from Jackson High School, where he was a standout baseball player for legendary coach John D. Simpkins, in 1960. On December 27th 1963 John Lee married Billie June Rudder in Jackson, Ala. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1964. He then graduated from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry with a doctor of dental medicine degree in 1967. John Lee served as president of his dental school class for all three years. Following graduation, John Lee served two years as a Captain in the Air Force at Warner Robins Air Force base in Warner Robins, GA. He received an honorary discharge from the Air Force in 1969 and returned to Jackson to join his father’s dental practice. The father-son combo worked side by side until the elder Dr. Fleming’s retirement in 1978. He was an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and both enjoyed volunteering and serving in the local and dental communities. John Lee served as a city councilman for District 5; senior warden at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church; president of the Jackson Lions Club; color analyst for the Jackson Academy football radio broadcast team; vice president of the Jackson Academy Auxiliary; founding member of the Jackson Drug Task Force, coach of the Rangers Dixie League baseball team (which won the league in his second and final season), and as president of the 4th District Dental Society. He closed his practice in 2002 and relocated to Tuscaloosa. He and June became active members of Christ Episcopal Church that year. He served as a fill-in dentist for multiple dental practices until 2017, taught dental classes at Lawson State in Birmingham for several years, served on the Mallard Creek Homeowner’s Association Board for eight years, and served as Charter Vice President of Explorations in Lifelong Learning at the University of Alabama. In 2017 he received a Gold Certificate from the Alabama Dental Association for fifty years of service in the dental profession. A lifelong Alabama fan, he was a member of the Touchdown Club, Red Elephant Club, Tide Pride, and a season ticket holder for football and baseball. The family would like to thank all of the special caregivers who provided care for him in his home, all providers who treated him at DCH and Northport Medical Center, Tuskaloosa Internal Medicine, and specialty therapists who worked with him individually. The family prefers that memorial donations be made to Christ Episcopal Church or The Children’s Hands On Museum. Condolences or words of remembrance may be offered at www.HeritageChapelTuscaloosa.com.