Dallas John Fleming

Dallas John Fleming MD, 71, of Rocky River passed away February 19, 2024. Beloved husband of Jamile’ Wakim-Fleming; loving father of Oriana and Joelle; brother of Daniel (Gail), Douglas, David (Linda), and Susan Jones (Damian); uncle of many; dear son of Dallas and Barbara (nee Haynes) Fleming.

Dallas joined the U.S. Navy in 1975, where he was a medical laboratory technician at the Naval Hospital in Key West, Florida and chief laboratory technician aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.

He graduated from the University of Missouri, and worked as a Medical Technologist and Physician’s Assistant (VA of Cleveland) before earning his MD from Case Western Reserve Medical School in 1993. Dallas practiced internal medicine in the Cleveland area. After he retired, he volunteered medical services for Red Cross through the Disaster Relief response, administered COVID-19 vaccines, and assisted with blood donations. It was also important for him to be involved in every election, which he did as a poll worker.

In his spare time, Dallas could be found by the lake, flying drones and taking pictures of the sunrise and sunset. He earned an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate to fly his drones, and was given special permission to fly in restricted areas. He was an avid reader of fiction, politics, and medical literature, and a lover of local theater.

Dallas has always been a rebellious spirit. He excelled at getting into wholesome shenanigans and he mostly avoided serious trouble, a testament to his goofy demeanor. He was usually the smartest guy – and definitely the funniest guy – in the room. He was charismatic and irreverent, especially when it was inappropriate. However, with his wife and daughters, he was sensitive, adoring, and somehow well-behaved.

He liked to tell his daughters the tamer stories, like how he would sneak into the zoo for fun, and he never let them forget that time he almost smoked weed with the Grateful Dead. In his youth, he won a polka contest on the accordion. He graduated both high school and medical school at the top of his class without ever needing to study, to his daughters’ dismay.

He had some crazy stories from when he worked in the morgue in Key West. It was a cold and empty place, perfect for storing beer for his buddy’s surprise going away party! Unfortunately, the morgue was needed that night and Dallas was reprimanded heavily.

There was also the time he ran a small Navy boat aground and had to be rescued by the Coast Guard. “The Navy hates being rescued by the Coast Guard,” he would say with a laugh, never explaining the punishment he suffered.

He tried to joke in his medical school interview that he wanted to go to medical school to impress Jodie Foster. The interviewer told him he would have to be admitted so he didn’t try to assassinate the president.

Dallas always made time for family. His daughters were his life’s greatest achievement. He never missed a cross country or track meet, a band or choir show, or theater performance. He loved photography and was usually in the back of the auditorium filming events.

He always had the latest model of drone, and drew a crowd wherever he went. He loved handing off his drone to curious strangers for a flight or two, and was never bothered when they crashed the drone into trees or under bridges. This happened numerous times.

He was very generous, making sure his pockets were filled with gadgets to pass out at events. He often ordered stacks of the latest good book he read and passed them out to loved ones. His favorite summer nap spot was in any of the three hammocks he placed around the yard and in the house- yes, he installed a hammock across the living room.

He volunteered where he could and donated to several organizations. He loved to gift extravagant and gorgeous trinkets and novelty items. He was always willing to help family and friends with medical issues—often before they even asked!

Service at Wade Chapel, Lake View Cemetery, on Saturday, March 16 at noon. Arrangements handled by Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Dallas would have loved a donation to some of his favorite organizations: Berea Animal Rescue, the Red Cross, PBS, Southern Poverty Law Center and Planned Parenthood.