Oct. 5, 1928 — Jan. 25, 2025
It is with humble gratitude that we announce that Jack Fleming passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at Adaptacare in Lethbridge at the age of 96. Jack had a good long life and was blessed to exit this planet in such a gentle way.
Jack was born at home on the farm near Laura, Sask. His parents Islay Thompson and Alex Fleming relocated to Granum. Jack’s parents divorced when he and his brother Howard were young. Islay and the boys then returned to Laura. Alex Fleming’s sister Leola Fleming was married to Edgar Griffey and they farmed in the Granum area. Leola died suddenly of an abscessed tooth, leaving Ed with a young family. Ed Griffey and Islay Fleming were brother-in-law and sister-in-law and each had two young children (Jack and Howard Fleming and Mildred and Bill Griffey). They began corresponding and eventually Ed and Islay were married, bringing the families together on the farm northeast of Granum.
Jack’s birth father Alex Fleming married Mary Turner of Barons and raised three children (Doug Fleming, Mary-Pat Roberts and Harold Fleming) in Lethbridge. The family trees with many branches were intertwined and created loving families that have raised generations of great citizens.
Jack was a farmer and stockman from a young age and embraced all that went with the jobs. Jack came from the use of horses as transportation, through the simple tractors to the power machines of today. As a young man Jack would trail cattle out of the foothills to the cover crops in the Granum area to put on extra pounds before driving them to the Granum Stockyards to be sent to the Calgary Stock Yards by rail en route to one of the packing plants in Calgary. Ed and Jack took their turns as rate payers with a Cat and grader, in maintaining the gravel road which is now Highway 519.
A pretty young gal named Grace Welch moved to Granum to work as a bank teller at Alberta Treasury Branch. Jack and Grace were married in 1948 and were married for 44 years. They raised their children Joan and Duncan on the family farm. The family was immersed in 4-H. At his passing Jack was the last surviving member of the first Claresholm 4-H Beef Club. Jack served as a leader of the Claresholm 4-H Beef Club and Jack and Grace were honoured to be the Willow Creek District’s Friends of 4-H. Throughout the years Jack was a strong supporter of 4-H and embraced his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren being a part of the Claresholm 4-H Beef Club.
Jack farmed and raised livestock with his step-father Ed Griffey. They would face all the challenges and successes of agriculture throughout their farm lives. A highlight was when Jack took a steer by rail to compete in the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Grace flew to Toronto to meet Jack and they drove home a brand-new Plymouth Sport Fury from the plant in Ontario that he had ordered through Fleming Motors of Lethbridge which was owned by his brother Howard Fleming. Jack was a life member of the Canadian Hereford Association and enjoyed the comradery of his fellow Hereford Breeders.
Jack was a community member who supported projects, like helping move in and fixing up the Blunden Hall that became the hub of the community. He hauled in gravel to help build the Granum Seed Cleaning Plant. Jack was an avid athlete and played for the Granum White Sox in the early years and competitive hockey for teams out of Fort Macleod. Jack continued with competitive sports until he was sidelined with a knee injury. Jack continued his love of sports and enjoyed watching baseball, hockey and football on TV. At the time of Jack’s passing, he was the oldest and longest member of the Granum United Church.
After the passing of his 1st wife Grace in 1992, Jack buried himself in farm work until he reacquainted with an old school chum, Shirley Syme Johnson. They had both lost their spouses and had many friends in common. Jack retired and moved to Lethbridge and in 2004 Jack and Shirley were married. They were married for 20 years and enjoyed each other’s company through their sunset years until Jack’s passing.
Jack was a family man who was always interested in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was always interested in their life’s adventures. Jack was hard working; Jack was honest in his dealings; a loyal friend and a hand shake was his bond.
Jack is survived by his second wife Shirley; son Duncan (Cecilie) Fleming and grandchildren Cooper Fleming, Ricki Fleming (Justin Pittman), and great grandchildren Scarlett and Zane Pittman; son-in-law Bob Mackin and grandchildren Rob Mackin (Matthew Young), Ty (Angie) Mackin and great grandchildren Haley and Jessica Mackin; half sister Mary-Pat Roberts and step sister-in-law Cheryl Fleming; nieces and nephews and Shirley’s family.
Jack was predeceased by his first wife Grace Fleming; daughter Joan Mackin; father Alex Fleming; mother and stepfather Islay and Edgar Griffey; brother Howard (Lois) Fleming; step siblings Mildred (Harold) Jorgenson, Bill (Kay) Griffey; half-brothers Doug Fleming and Harold (Judy) Fleming; Grace’s siblings Dace (Lil) Welch, Dick Welch and Katie Kraemer.
At Jack’s request there will be no service. Just have a toast to a life well lived and a smile when you reflect on your life’s interaction with Jack.