John Jackson Fleming, III - Obituary

John Jackson Fleming III, longtime resident of Epping Forest in Annapolis, passed away peacefully at the age of 81 years old on 4/2/22. “Big John”, as he was affectionately known, was born in Philadelphia, PA, to John Jackson Fleming, Jr. and Dorothy Moore Fleming, both deceased. John graduated from Haverford High School, PA, where his varsity basketball team won the 1958 PA state championship. He then attended and graduated from Gettysburg College where he played basketball and baseball and met his future wife Janet Anderson. After college, John enlisted in the US Navy and graduated from Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, and then served as an officer aboard the USS Randolph, an Essex class aircraft carrier, based out of Norfolk, VA. His ship was deployed to the Caribbean for the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Several of his fellow servicemen became lifelong friends. John and his wife Jan, later settled in Annapolis in 1968, where he lived for the rest of his life. “Big John” loved the Chesapeake Bay region. He was an avid outdoorsman and nature lover. Fishing, hunting, crabbing, boating, camping, and simply observing wildlife were enduring passions. He was a masterful cook, often preparing dishes that featured local seafood and wild game. His other hobbies included watching his sons play lacrosse, regardless of age level or venue. He also relished attending all of his grandsons' school events and athletic competitions. Later in life, he rekindled his love of basketball, becoming an avid Terps fan. He celebrated over 24 years of sobriety as a dedicated member and volunteer in Alcoholics Anonymous. He also enjoyed the fellowship & services at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Annapolis. John ran his own manufacturer’s representative sales agency, Division III Associates, promoting and selling products that served the concrete and remedial waterproofing construction industries throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. He is survived by his loving family: Jan, his wife of 57 years, his son Keith (Cathy Schorreck) and their sons Jackson and Duncan, his son Craig (Lauren) and their son, Easton, and his sister Janet (Wayne) Miller of Hobe Sound, FL, & San Ramon, CA. Big John was an endearing presence, using his sense of humor and skill as a great story and joke teller to make new friends wherever he went. He was a dedicated & caring husband, father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed. A memorial date has not yet been set. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, 600 Discovery Ln, Grasonville, MD. 21638.