Robert Lee Fleming

Robert Lee Fleming of Seagraves, TX, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 26, 2023, after a long struggle with dementia. Funeral Services will be held at the 12th Steet Church of Christ in Seagraves on Friday, November 3rd at 11:00 am with Pastor Jerold Baldwin officiating. A graveside memorial will follow at the Seagraves Cemetery. There will be a luncheon for friends and family at the church fellowship hall. Visitation and viewing will be Thursday at the Ratliff Funeral Home in Seagraves.

R. L. (Hooks) was born on the farm in 1929, to Audie and Ruby Oliver Fleming. He graduated from Wellman High School in 1947. R. L. served in the US Army from 1950 in SVC Battery, 151st Field Artillery Battalion, 47th Infantry Division. He was a combat veteran on the front battle lines in the Korean War with an Honorable Discharge in 1952 at the rank of Corporal. He married Doris Sweatt of Denver City, TX in 1953. They lived on the family farm south of Wellman. R. L. and Doris were members of the 13th & Ave D, Church of Christ in Seagraves.

R. L. was a farmer. He farmed in partnership with his father and brother-in-law, Harry Childers, for many years. In the early 60’s, they discontinued raising cattle, pigs, and chickens to focus on irrigated and dry-land row crops of cotton, maize, and peanuts. He farmed independently from the 80’s until he retired in 2012 at the age of 83. From 1984 to 2000, he owned and operated a private club in Brownfield, TX. R. L. was on the Board of Directors for Poka Lambro Telephone Co-op for 41 years. He worked tirelessly to ensure the rural area had excellent cell phone and internet services.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister, Ouida Childers of Seagraves; a daughter Judy Barnes of Austin, and a son Jim Fleming and his wife Cindy of Austin; grandchildren, Stacy Barnes and husband Cecil Smead of Lubbock, Natalie Fleming and husband Matt Christensen of Austin, and Brian Fleming and wife Olivia of Cedar Park; great-grandchildren, Ashton and Caden Smead, Henry and Madeline Fleming, and Catherine Christensen.