Dr. Horace W. Fleming

MACON - Dr. Horace W. Fleming, Jr., passed away at his home in Macon, Georgia, on Friday, May 1, 2009, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 65. A native of Elbert County, Georgia, Dr. Fleming earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Georgia. He received his doctorate in political science from Vanderbilt University. A highly decorated veteran of the United States Army, he served as a captain from 1969 to 1970 in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star and Regimental Cross of Gallantry. Dr. Fleming served Mercer University on two occasions, as Executive Vice President and Provost from 1992 to 1997, and as Provost from July 2006 to June 2008. In May 2008, Dr. Fleming was named Distinguished University Professor of Educational Leadership at Mercer and recently completed a sabbatical at the University of South Carolina as a visiting professor of educational leadership and policies. Prior to coming to Mercer in 1992, Dr. Fleming was Executive Vice President at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, from 1990 to 1992. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in 1990, the highest civilian award conferred by the State of South Carolina. Dr. Fleming, the seventh President of The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, served that institution from January 1997 until September 2001. He returned to Mercer in 2001, serving as Special Counsel to the President and continued serving as Consultant to The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg through 2002. Dr. Fleming began his teaching career in 1971 as a member of the faculty at Clemson University. During his 19-year tenure at Clemson, he served as president of the faculty senate and was chosen Alumni Master Teacher in 1979 by the Clemson student body. He was also the founding director of the Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs. Dr. Fleming took leave from Clemson from 1980 to 1982 to serve as chief economist for the Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate. He also was staff director of the Office of President Pro Tem of the Senate, Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. Dr. Fleming's life will always be honored and celebrated by his immediate family: wife, Orene ‘Steve' Fleming; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Timothy Snowden of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; son Capt. Patrick W. Fleming of Columbia, South Carolina; sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Boyce Dunn of Anderson, South Carolina; and brother Gerald G. Fleming of Macon, Georgia; and his many colleagues, students, and friends throughout the world. In lieu of flowers, donations are recommended to The Salvation Army, The American Cancer Society, or a charity of the donor's choice. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, Georgia, from 6:00 until 9:00 pm. Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held at Mercer University on Friday, May 8, 2009. Complete service details are available through Mercer University's website: www.Mercer.edu. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory on Cherry Street has charge of arrangements.