Paul Arden Fleming “Pookie”

 

Paul Arden Fleming, 81, of Amarillo, TX passed away on February 15, 2022.

Paul Arden Fleming received the greatest gift on his 81^st birthday, to be with the Lord. He was united with his father Abbey, mother Katherine, sisters Judy Yoli and Pat LaFountaine. Paul was a strong man with a big heart who never met a stranger.

Paul passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 after a short battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, he went to Fairmore Elementary, Fairwood 5^th & 6^th grades, Roosevelt Junior High and graduated from Eastmore High School in 1959.

At eight years old, Paul would ride his bicycle throwing the Columbus Citizen Journal newspaper while singing “Don’t Fence Me In” by Gene Autry. From ages 10-18, he threw the Columbus Dispatch paper. Paul received many award pins for safety, 100% perfect delivery and collections.

Paul’s Christian faith came from his family, raising him in the Methodist church where he enjoyed the Methodist youth fellowship on Sunday evenings growing up.

At 18 years old, he joined the United States Air Force in 1959 where he was stationed in San Antonio for basic training. After training, he was sent to Amarillo Air Force Base until 1963. While stationed in Amarillo, Paul worked part time jobs with Amarillo Ice Company, the Esquire and Paramount Theatres, and even helped with the lighting on the movie Hud with Paul Newman outside of Claude, Texas.

Elvis, The Platters, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and the Comets and many others were the songs and band Paul grew up listening to and still enjoyed today.

After his honorable discharge, Paul moved to Oklahoma City for a year becoming a manager of a 24-hour 7-11 convenience store. Moving back to Amarillo, he became an assistant manager at a 7-11, then worked for Zales and Lewis Jewelers as a bill collector. In 1965, he bought an ice route and truck with Amarillo Ice Company. Paul worked part time in 1965 for Toot n Totum. He became a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in 1968 until retirement in 1998. He held several positions with the National Association of Letter Carriers Local Branch 1037, including president. Paul would take time off during the Tri-State Fair to deliver ice from 1968 to 1998 and to deliver ice for the 3-day weekends of FunFest.

While living in the Village of the Palisades for 52 years, Paul enjoyed being an Alderman for several terms as well as helping in the “fire wise” community clean ups. He volunteered on the weekends with a team to  hand build water drains off the sides of the Palisades roads. Paul’s favorite line when people drove by was, “We need pavers, not wavers” and just laugh.

Paul became a delivery person for 20 years after his Post Office retirement for John Wilson, the owner of Catchings Prescriptions. Paul loved delivering to everyone and visiting.

Paul loved the Lord, his family and friends. He and his wife Sherry enjoyed traveling on cruises; going to the Amarillo Area Corvette functions with family and friends; and being a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, the AACC, the Good Guys, NALC local union and the Botanical Gardens.

Going to Bonneville, Utah with his guy pals during “Speed Week” was one of his favorite things to do. He knew everyone that came from all over the U.S. as well as those from abroad to race. He was so proud to come home and show all of the pictures he would take during the week.

If anyone went to any car show or the street rod nationals with Paul, he could just look at the grill or tail light and tell you the year, make and model of the vehicle, from Kaisers, Tuckers, and more. These were the cars he grew up with.

He has had many hot rods, starting in his teenage years until now. He loved his 1954 Studebaker street rod and his 1932 Ford Roadster. Cars were his hobby and passion.

Paul’s love for animals growing up until now, has had many dogs, cats, horses, and even a pet goat.  ZuZu, our cocker spaniel was always at his side.

If you were in public with Paul and he ran into someone he delivered the mail to or prescriptions, he would call them by name plus their address.  He knew everyone’s address!!

You could always stop by the house during football season to watch his Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, or the Ohio State Buckeyes!!

Paul really enjoyed his family, going to all sporting events, grandson Braden’s racing, and much more.

He was so proud that his great-granddaughter, Briar, got to sing to her G-Pops when he got home from the hospital.

Paul, better known as “Pookie,” is survived by his wife, Mary Sharon (Sherry) Simms-Fleming, daughter Christy and husband Wayne Woods, grandson Braden and wife Maddie Woods, and their daughter Briar Lee (Tater Bug), and daughter Heather and husband Marc Boyle. Survivors also include his brother-in-law Jerry Yoli, nephew Paul and wife Angie Yoli, great-nephew Chris and wife Jolie Yoli, nephew Michael and wife Sharon Yoli, great-nephews Alex, Andrew, Nicholas, and great- niece Ava; nephew Don LaFountaine and wife Charlene, and their children and grandchildren; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tim and Tonya Simms and their family, Tom and Leslie Simms and their family, and Joe and Terry Hendrick and their family.

ulA memorial service will be held in Paul’s honor on Saturday, February 26^th, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2525 Wimberly Road, Amarillo, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Amarillo Area Corvette Club, P.O. Box 2201, Amarillo, Texas 79105 or any charity of your choice.

Please use this link to view the service: https://www.wpcama.com/sermons