Paul C. Fleming

Paul C. Fleming, 98, of Aiken, died peacefully Sunday night, July 23, 2023, at his residence with family. He is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jane; all his siblings, two brothers and four sisters; daughter-in-law; and his only granddaughter, all of Texas. He is survived by his children; Elizabeth (Gilbert) McPheeters of Kingsland, Texas; Martin (J'Nevelyn) Fleming of Granbury, Texas; Paula (Hogan) Kane of Aiken, South Carolina; plus eight grandsons and eight great-grandchildren.

Paul's early life was spent in Archer City, Texas as the second to youngest child of John and Frances Fleming. During the depression, when he was 6 years old his father died. The family moved to Austin, Texas for work. After graduating from high school there he attended Texas A&M University. He was in the Calvary, Troop B, was a member of the swimming and water polo teams and earned a degree in Industrial Engineering with the class of 1947. He served In the army as a Second Lieutenant in the 57th infantry, Philippine Scouts. He also served in the Army Reserves and retired as a Colonel.

In 1950 he married Jane Hughes and began working for the Gulf Oil Corporation (later Chevron) in oil and gas production at various locations in West Texas. After his three children were born the family was transferred to Sicily for 5 years. He also worked for a time in Mozambique then a long stretch in Monahans, Texas until his children were grown.  After brief assignments in Midland and Houston Texas he retired with over 37 years of service.

Paul shared a Cessna prop plane with a group of friends and enjoyed many hours in the sky as a pilot. By far his favorite pastime, however, was following Texas A&M football. He was a Master Mason and an Endowed Member and Past Master of Monahans Lodge 952. He served as District Deputy Grandmaster of the Masonic District 84 of Grand Lodge of Texas and was a member of the Commandry and the Knights Templar. 

In 2005 he suffered a stroke and moved with his wife to Trinity on Laurens in Aiken. After recovering, he joined St John's UMC in Aiken. He became an Endowed Member of Aiken's Lodge 156. He volunteered at Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS) where some knew him as "Paul the Polisher."

He treasured his extended family of six nieces and two nephews. He had great lifelong friendships, one lasting 77 years and one that continued to correspond with him from Sicily for 60 years. Paul was grateful to have experienced such a wide span of history. In recent months as his strength faded he continued to live each day as a gift.

A private service will be held at a later date in Texas.

SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC 29803.