Dr. Everett Fleming, Jr.

Dr. Everett Fleming, Jr., 95, of Indianapolis, passed away August 31, 2022. He was born November 16, 1926 to the late Everette and Golda Fleming. Everett was a 1944 graduate of Lebanon High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII, where he cooked for and served thousands of soldiers at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey before their departure overseas. He attended Butler and Indiana Universities before receiving his bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ohio State University in 1955. He established the Allisonville Animal Hospital in 1957, and was the owner/operator until retiring in 1989. Everett was tireless in his service to others through professional and community organizations. He served in many capacities with the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association including past president and public relations chairman and received the honor of Veterinarian of the Year in 1997. Everett gave advice as “The Pet Vet” on WTHR Channel 13 and in a column known as “Pet Peeves” for the Indianapolis News. Everett was a Deacon and Elder at Northminster Presbyterian Church and participated in the weekly men’s prayer breakfast, often cooking the breakfast using the mess-hall-style culinary skills he developed in the Army. He was an advanced master gardener and tree master and past president of the Marion County Master Gardener Association. He served as a garden volunteer at the President Benjamin Harrison Home and Indianapolis Zoo flower gardens. His love for Indiana and US history was reflected in his service as a docent of the Benjamin Harrison Home, where he gave tours while in his eighties, and at the Indiana State Museum. He was very active in Lions Club for over 50 years, as past president of the Nora Lions Club and recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and W.P. Woods Award. He actively participated in the club’s fundraisers including the roasted corn stand at the Indiana State Fair where his children and then his grandchildren happily accompanied him each summer and honed their sales and entrepreneurial skills. He was passionate about the Lions’ Leader Dogs for the Blind program which trains guide dogs and matches the visually impaired with a leader dog. While his list of professional accomplishments and contributions to the community was extensive, what made Everett extraordinary was that he expected nothing in return; he simply wanted to be of service with no need for accolades or recognition. And despite his dedication to so many worthy causes, he would always say that his greatest source of satisfaction and joy was his family. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Blvd. E. Dr., Indianapolis. Everett is survived by his children, C. Andrew Fleming (Cindy), Julia Crowe (Kevin), Thomas Fleming (Kelly) and Melinda Saunders (Rick); stepchildren, Bill McCormick (Julie), Linda Linegar (Dan) and Mary Ann Gorgol (Tom); grandchildren, Chelsey Fleming (Keith), Andrew Fleming (Alina), Addison Fleming, Matthew Crowe (Marnie), Thomas Crowe, Ryan Crowe, Keriann Davis, Karleigh Tuley (Max), Daniel Saunders and Michael Saunders; five great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Everett was preceded in death by his first wife, Carole Lea Bailey Fleming; second wife, Jane Aspinall McCormick Fleming; and five brothers, Marion Fleming, Kenneth Fleming, Karl Fleming, Foster Fleming and Frank Fleming. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leader Dog for the Blind Program online at https://www.leaderdog.org/ Final arrangements and care are entrusted to Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel.

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Dr. Everett Fleming, Jr.

November 16, 1926 - August 31, 2022