Thomas Fleming

Thomas William Fleming was born on November 25, 1935 in The Bronx, New York to Thomas Andrew Fleming and Lillian Bridget Dowling. Tom passed from this life and into the next on August 14, 2021 at the age of 85.

Tom grew up in New York City and graduated from Holy Trinity High School, Hackensack, NJ in 1953. Tom met his future bride Carole in high school and they married 2 years later in April of 1955. What followed was 66 years of blessed marriage, including 3 children and 3 great grandchildren. His first job was working at a bowling alley (including pin setter). Following a tip from good friend Rich Galle's father, Tom started scaling the ladder as a linemen for New Jersey Bell company. This led to a 42 year career primarily with Bell Laboratories. Tom travelled the world (most countries in Western Europe as well as Asia, including Taiwan and China) leading teams that designed and subsequently installed switching systems for phone lines and wireless service. Tom was granted a patent for bubble memory storage as part of the team at Bell Laboratories. Tom retired as the International Customer Support Director. While at AT&T Bell Labs, Tom (and Carole) developed lifelong friendships with co-workers, including avid participation in golf leagues, Wednesdays at Pepe's and many life events.

Tom and Carole travelled the world together both during work years and in retirement. Multiple trips were made to Hawaii, Western Europe and Australia (hiking and camping in the Outback for 2 weeks). Tom also enjoyed electric railroads (Electric Railroad Association, ERA member for 70 years) and annual Electronic Systems Annual Conference (ESAC) trips around the United States.

Tom was a faithful member of the parish at St Anthony Catholic Church in Wylie, serving as the President of the seniors' group and actively participating in other church activities.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Catherine Meyer.

Tom is survived by his wife, Carole, brother and sister-in-law William and Isabelle Fleming of Brick, NJ: daughter and son-in-law Carole and Dr. Paul Kempf Jr. of Willowbrook, IL, son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Lynda Fleming of Richardson, TX: and son Sean Fleming of Wylie, TX. Tom is also survived by two grandsons, TC and wife Megan of Dallas, TX and Daniel Fleming of Farmers Branch, TX and three great-grandchildren, Peighton Fleming, Emma Fleming and Isaura Fleming, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 19, 2021, from 5 PM until 7 PM at Charles W. Smith and Sons Sachse-Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Parish in Wylie. Internment will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Lavon, TX.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Thomas William Fleming to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online www.DementiaSociety.org/donate