Hugh Owen Fleming of West Palm Beach, Florida passed away on June 9, 2021. Hugh was born in Miami, Florida on August 29, 1932. He attended grade schools in Miami and graduated from Miami Senior High in 1950.
After graduation he attended the University of Florida. While at the University he was a member of the Phi Eta Signa scholarship fraternity and the Delta Tau Delta social fraternity. He was an avid participant in many University intramural sports. His favorite was baseball.
Upon graduation from the University with an Industrial Engineering degree, he entered the US Army and served for two years. Upon discharge he joined Army reserve, retiring in 1963.
His career began at Pratt Whitney in West Palm Beach, FL and moved to NASA in Houston, Texas. He retired from NASA with several awards; his most cherished the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to him as a member of the Apollo XIII Mission Operations Team for his role in the life saving rescue of the Apollo XIII astronauts.
Upon retirement in 1982, he traveled the world pursuing his passion of playing golf. Wanting to be close to family, in 2001, he moved from Texas back to Florida.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Paul Puffenbarger of Palm Beach, FL; his son Greg Fleming of Atlanta, GA, and his grandson Bradley Puffenbarger of New York City. He is also survived by his sister-in law, Betty Fleming of St. Augustine, FL; his nephews Scott Fleming of St. Augustine, FL and Steve Fleming of Los Angeles, CA; his niece Patricia Collins of Ocala, FL, along with several grandnieces and grandnephews.
The memorial service and burial will be held with military honors at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL at 10 a.m. on July 21, 2021. Attendees should arrive by 9:45 a.m. and proceed to lane 5.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to the Beautification of Florida National Cemetery Gift Fund, 6501 S. State Road 7, Lake Worth, Fl 33449 or to Semper K9 Assistance Dogs for Veterans, P.O. Box 451 Quantico, VA 22134 (www.sempkerk9.org).
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