Mostly Clear, 49° F
On Dec. 28, 1934, Franklin Hal Fleming was born to Hal and Icel Fleming in Frannie, Wyoming, joining his siblings Art, Elma, Bill, and Audrey, where he was born and raised in the same house. He attended Frannie-Deaver schools and graduated in 1953. Frank worked for his dad as an oilfield contractor in the Frannie oilfield, and also hauled water and gravel from Warren, Montana.
When he was 22, he was drafted into the Army, in 1956, and completed basic training as at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was stationed in Wertheim, Germany, until 1959, where he served as a medic and was certified as a welder in the Army’s engineering program. After returning home, Frank worked with his father, and eventually bought the business.
In 1962 he met Gert Shae at the Billings airport. That same year they were married, and together, they raised five children: Renee, Rusty, Mike, Rick, and Jason.
He worked and ran Fleming Trucking and Contracting until 1984 when he downsized. Frank continued to work for himself and other contractors until he retired around 2005. Frank especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He would take his family fishing for the day in the Beartooth Mountains;, often running to his favorite fishing spot and leaving the kids behind with Gert. He would fish all day, and generally not get back to the car until after dark. They would then load up the kids and go home so he could be back to work the next day. Over the last few years, he especially enjoyed the Fleming family camping, fishing and elk hunting trips.
Frank was dedicated to serving his community of Frannie and served in the Lions Club, as a Boy Scout leader, and on town, cemetery and school boards. Frank left this world on the evening of Jan. 20 while watching TV with Gert.
Frank was preceded in death by his son Michael, his parents, and his siblings.
He is survived by his wife Gert; his children, Renee (Tim), Rusty (Tempe), Rick, and Jason (Christy); his four grandchildren; and his three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to a charity of your choice or to the Michael Fleming Scholarship Fund at Northwest College, in memory of Frank Fleming.
A Catholic Mass and funeral is planned for Saturday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m., at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church. Following the service, a short graveside blessing will be held at the Deaver Cemetery, with a luncheon at the Deaver Town Hall.
