Mr. James W. Fleming, 75, of LaPorte, died Friday, July 2, 2010, at LaPorte Hospital.
He was born Aug. 16, 1934, in Lorraine, NY, the son of James M. and Leta Ruth (Randall) Fleming. He moved west to Indiana following a brief stint at Syracuse University. He arrived in LaPorte in 1953 with a suitcase and $35 in his pocket.
Within eight years, Jim founded Aero Metals Inc., an investment casting business, in his basement at the young age of 27. This start-up operation evolved into a multimillion-dollar business with over 300 employees. Aero Metals provides components for a variety of industries including aerospace, defense, construction equipment and hardware, recreation, agriculture, and firearms.
Like many success stories, Fleming’s tale started with humble beginnings. While working at Austenal Microcast (today known as Howmet Corp.), Jim also worked part-time toying around on projects with other companies. One of his first big projects was the design of the equipment used to produce Jiffy Pop Popcorn. This design was accepted and built for Mennen Food Products Corp. He also worked with MIT professors and top surgeons to design innovative medical equipment used in hip replacements.
Jim was a brilliant engineer, designing and building leading-edge equipment. There were no bounds to his inventiveness. His engineering successes kept Aero Metals at the forefront of investment casting technology for years.
Much of Jim’s success stemmed from a sincere desire to develop rapport with all of his employees. Jim was committed to the education and capabilities of his employees. He inspired and sponsored many employees’ efforts to obtain GED certificates, trade school educations and college degrees.
In 1989, Jim was elected to the LaPorte Hospital Board of Directors, serving two three-year terms. During his tenure as a member of the board, he served on the Finance Committee, the Medical Staff Development Committee, the Executive Committee, the Joint Conference Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Employee Relations Committee, the Community Service/Charitable Role Committee, and as vice chairman and chairman of the board. He became a member of the LaPorte Hospital Foundation and was chairman of the With the Community at Heart campaign.
Aviation was a big part of Jim’s life. For the past 35 years, he was an active member of the LaPorte Municipal Airport’s Board of Directors. He attained a commercial pilot’s license and participated in several businesses at the airport.
In 1991, Jim was named the Northwest Indiana Small Business Person of the Year, recognizing entrepreneurial excellence. In 1992, he was named the Small Business Person of the Year for the entire state of Indiana. Later that year, he traveled to the White House to be awarded the 2nd Runner-Up Small Business Person of the Year for the United States. During that trip, he met President George H.W. Bush.
Jim devoted valuable time and money to various community and educational projects and served on the executive committees of numerous civic boards. About his community service, Jim once said: “People ask me to do things, and I don’t like to say no.” He was a great storyteller and public speaker and was often asked to speak to a wide variety of audiences across the region.
His participation and awards include the following:
Lifetime Achievement Award – State of Indiana
Industrialist of the Year Award recognizing Outstanding Leadership – 1992
American Foundryman’s Society – Chapter President
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Member of Leadership LaPorte County
Sagamore of the Wabash – State Award
Grand Marshal of the LaPorte 4th of July Parade
1st National Bank – Board of Directors
Board of Directors of the Indiana Manufacturers Association
Member of the LaPorte Chamber of Commerce
President of LaPorte Manufacturers Association – 1988-1989
LaPorte Rotary Club President’s Award – 1977
LaPorte Rotary Club President – 1980-1981
Rotary Club Award – 1991
LaPorte Hospital Board of Directors – 1993-1995
Member of the LaPorte Hospital Foundation since 1992
LaPorte Regional Health System Council of Chairs since 1998
LaPorte Municipal Airport Board of Directors – 1976 to present
Commercial Instrument Flight Instructor
On Aug. 25, 1978, in LaPorte, he married Pamela, who survives.
He is also survived by his two daughters, Pat (Dean) Graham of LaPorte and Linda Stowell of LaPorte; three sons, David Stowell of Chicago, Robert (Debbie) Stowell of LaPorte and Jim (ToniLynn) Fleming of Fairmont, MN; and seven grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Fay Fleming.
The family will receive friends at Haverstock Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Wednesday, July 7, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., and at First United Methodist Church, LaPorte, on Thursday, July 8, from 10 to 11 a.m. Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the church with Rev. Evan Lash officiating. Cremation will follow the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to LaPorte Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 250, LaPorte, IN 46350; First United Methodist Church, 1225 Michigan Ave., LaPorte, IN 46350; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.
