Daniel Fleming

Hancock, Maryland

Daniel Roby Fleming, Hancock, Md., died Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at his home. He was born September 24, 1921, in Barrett, Md., to the late William Thomas and Nellie Wolbert Fleming.

Mr. Fleming graduated from Sykesville High School in 1938, and moved to Hancock in 1942. He worked as a commissioned agent for Sinclair Oil Company and founded Fleming Oil Company, retiring in 1986.

He served in the U.S. Army in Luxembourg and Germany, where he earned the silver and bronze stars in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.

He was a charter member of the Hancock Rotary Club in 1943, serving on the board of directors, and four terms as president. In 1976-1977, he served as district governor of Rotary District 735. He helped organize ten new area Rotary clubs in the following ten years. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. He lived his life by the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self."

In 1957, he was elected to the office of Town Council in Hancock, and in 1959 he was elected Mayor of Hancock, serving six terms, until 1971.

In 1959, he was the founding president of the Hancock Development Corporation, which was successful in bringing London Fog, Fleetwood Industries, and Rayloc Corporation to town. These businesses provided over 1,000 jobs to the Hancock community. In 1983, the Corporation prevented the demolition of the former Hancock Elementary School, which now serves as the Hancock Community Center.

Mr. Fleming was instrumental in convincing the town of Hancock to move the flood-stricken War Memorial Library to higher ground in the town park in 1996.

Along with friend and fellow veteran, Bob McCusker, he helped to raise funds for construction of the Hancock Veterans Memorial monument that was completed in 2000. This monument honors all Hancock area veterans that served from World War 1 through the Gulf War.

Mr. Fleming was honored in 2007 by the Community Foundation of Washington County, Md., Inc. with the People's Choice Award for outstanding community service.

He was inspired by the words of his favorite quote, "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not deter or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Author unknown.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Beatrice J. Jackson Fleming; and brothers, Dorsey B. and Gilbert L. Fleming.

He is survived by two sons, Daniel R. Fleming, ll and wife, Maxine, of Clear Spring, Md., and W. Lee Fleming and wife, Joyce, of Hancock, Md.; five grandchildren, W.T. Fleming, Daniel Fleming lll, Erin Fleming, Laura Creek, and Amanda Fleming; and seven great-grandchildren, Kyra, Billy, and Addy Creek, Anna Grace and Eli Fleming, and Andy and Natalie Fleming.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 27, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., at the Hancock United Methodist Church. The Rev. Carol Davis and the Rev. Duane Jensen will officiate.

Burial, with military honors by the Tri-State Honor Guard, will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Hagerstown, Md.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 26, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Hancock United Methodist Church, 168 West Main Street, Hancock, Md., and one hour prior to the services on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 5 Public Square, Hagerstown, Md., 21740, or a local charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by the Grove Funeral Home in Hancock, Md.

Online condolences will be accepted at www.grovefh.com .