Bobby Jack (BJ) Fleming passed away peacefully on May 14, 2018.  He was born in Lueders, Texas, a place he always referred to as " The Garden Spot of the World ".  He was preceded in death by his wife and long-time companion and best friend, Sabra Jean Fleming.  They were married for 66 years.  They met at Texas Tech University where BJ earned his degree in civil engineering at the age of 20.  After graduating, they married and he entered the Army to become a pilot on single and twin-engine planes and helicopters.  They traveled the country while in flight school and on other assignments, living in Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and California.

While stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco, the Army ordered BJ to Alaska in the early 1950's where he was instrumental in surveying key areas of the northern portion of this territory that was not a state at the time.  He was responsible for surveying land for the missile defense system of the United States during two long summers at the age of 23-24.  He tells the story of replacing an engine on a float plane along a river and having to fly it out to make sure it really worked.  Perhaps that is the beginning of his focus on personal safety as he often reflected on double-checking the engine assembly manual prior to that flight!  After leaving the Army, he remained in the Army Reserves for several years and his final rank was Captain.

He worked for the Army Corps of Engineers before starting a career at Texaco in the refining division in Tulsa.  He was respected as a bright engineer and was later assigned to other refineries in the Texaco system.  He worked in Baton Rouge, LA, Port Arthur, TX, Lockport, IL and Los Angeles, CA in various capacities including engineer, construction project manager, and plant manager.  BJ started life in a small west Texas town and went on to be an incredibly well-traveled person who lived on both coasts and many places in between.  He and Sabra moved nearly three-dozen times in their life together.  He retired from Texaco in Tulsa, and then resumed work at the same Tulsa refinery which had since been sold to Sinclair.

BJ was the rock in the Fleming household, supporting his three sons and Sabra.  He coached Little League, took the family on a camping trip to western US and eventually bought a lake house in Grove, OK for weekends and long summer vacations.  They opened Sabra's Antique Store, where BJ would refurbish furniture, go on buying trips and take on various tasks at the direction of Sabra.  He loved to make furniture and had a formidable wood working shop.  His furniture pieces are now family heirlooms to be treasured.  BJ was known for his critical "eye" when evaluating the exploits of his three sons and always ended visits with everyone he knew with a heartfelt "just be careful!"

BJ is survived by his three sons, three daughters in-law, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Son Robert Farley Fleming, his wife Carolyn Fleming, grandson Andrew Fleming and granddaughter Heather Fleming. Son Michael Arthur Fleming, his wife Elise Billingsley, grand-daughter Rebekah Guillaume, her husband Scott Guillaume and great-grandson Grayson, step-grandsons Brendan Billingsley and Kyle Billingsley, and step-granddaughter Sara Billingsley. Son Kevin Austin Fleming, his wife Shanna Igo, granddaughter Kendra Antonevich, her husband Justin Antonevich and great-grandsons Brody and Sam, and great-granddaughter Cayla, granddaughter Katie Fredrickson and her husband Devin Fredrickson, grandson Matthew Fleming, his wife Kassie Fleming, great-grandson Ryker and great-granddaughter Raylee Kay, step-grandsons Jesse Fender and Jaxon Fender.  Unofficially and lovingly "adopted" daughter Donna Lynn Thomas and her husband Terry Thomas.

Graveside burial service is at 11:00 AM, Saturday May 19th at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Donations in lieu of flowers for the charity of your choice, the Army Aviation Museum – Fort Rucker, AL ( 800-Army-Avn), or Osage Hills State Park – Bartlesville, OK (2131 Osage Hills Park Rd., Pawhuska, OK 74056; 918-336-4141).