Jack Fleming of Bremerton, Sept. 6, 1929 to Feb. 20, 2009.

Veteran.

Bremerton resident W. Jack Fleming, 79, died February 20th at his home.

He was born September 6. 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He grew up in San Francisco, California, enlisting in the US Navy in 1947. He met Beverly Paulson at Perl's Dance Pavilion, marrying her December 13, 1952. He loved her faithfully until her death on April 4th, 1997.

Jack is survived by his brother Ralph of Tiburon CA. His dear companion Peggy Anderson, three sons, Jim of Bothell WA, Jeff of Port Orchard WA, Clayton of Woodinville WA; daughters-in-law Gayle, Dorrie and Kathy; grandchildren, Courtney, Ian, Alec, Taylor, Nicole, Kendall and Michael. Cousin Della and nephew Ralph Jr.

Bob and his wife Betty raised turkeys on his farm near Albany, OH for 20 years where they were members of the Temple United Methodist Church. In 1983 Bob and Betty retired to a life of travel and relaxation, visiting friends and family and attending ship's reunions.

Bob was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, The Navy Memorial Assoc. (Lone Sailor) and ship's reunion associations for the U.S.S. Mullany, U.S.S. Mansfield, U.S.S. New York, U.S.S. Albany and U.S.S. Worcestor.

You can pay your online respects here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/modestobee/obituary.aspx?n=clifford-nelson-arnett&pid=131338934

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society , 404 Jessup Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.

Twiford's Funeral Home, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, is in charge of arrangements. You may express condolences to the Trenz family by visiting http://www.twifordfh.com.

Born in Dunbar, Va., he was of the Christian Faith, a World War II Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy, was a member of the VFW Post No. 9600 in Pound, Va., and DAV Chapter No. 56 of Wise, Va., a retired coal miner from Westmoreland Coal Co. after 44 years of service, a member of the UMWA Local 8017, a member of the Hoge Masonic Lodge No. 8 A.F. & A.M. in Wise, Va., recently receiving his 50 year pin and was a former resident of the Laurels in Wise.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Stella Thomas; brothers, William Thomas, Buren Thomas; a sister, Mildred Couch; and a son-in-law, Robert Kirtz. Surviving are a daughter, Linda Danko and husband Dan of Kingsport, Tenn.; two sons, Mike Thomas of Gate City, Va., and Ernest "Jimmy" Thomas Jr. of Wise, Va.; the mother of his children, Jewell Brooks of Kingsport, Tenn.; eight grandchildren, Robert Kirtz and wife Emily, Thomas Kirtz and wife Marcie, Jennifer McDavid and husband Brian, Michael Thomas and wife Karrie, Courtney Carter, Melanie Holbrook, Adam Holbrook and Austin Hess; 13 great-grandchildren, Paige Kirtz, Zachary Kirtz, Sullevan Kirtz, Blake McDavid, Logan McDavid, Jackson McDavid, Cole Thomas, Brit Thomas, Drew Carter, Maggie Carter, Clay Carter, Brady Carter and Malea Holbrook; a sister, Jean Smith of Canton, Ohio; several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Ernest Thomas will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2010, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, Va., with Rev. Jeff Sams officiating. The Family will receive friends from 5 p.m. till time of services at 7 p.m. Friday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, Va. Burial and graveside committal services with Military Rites being conducted by the Pound VFW Post 9600 will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 2010, in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Big Stone Gap, Va. Family and friends will meet at 10:10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home to go to the cemetery in procession. In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Food Bank of Wise County P.O. Box 2977 Wise, VA 24293. Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.

Capt. Barnes, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William. H. Barnes, Jr. married the former Fay Anderson in 1949 and they shared over 60 wonderful years together. Bill graduated from the Iona Preparatory School, New Rochelle, N.Y. in 1941. He enlisted in the Naval Reserves and later received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. At the Academy, Bill played Varsity tennis, was Brigade commander of the 6th battalion, chairman of the Hop committee and class secretary. Bill graduated from the Academy in 1948. After graduation Bill stayed at the Academy as an instructor in marine engineering. He later served on the USS Bairoko (CVE-115) and the USS Mansfield (DD-728).

When the then Ensign Barnes served on the Mansfield the ship was the lead ship of the famed "Sitting Ducks" which led the Battle of Inchon, Korea, Sept. 1950. The commanding officer wrote in Barnes fitness report "his performance as Machine Gun Control Officer was outstanding during the assault on the Inchon-Seoul Korea 13-23 September 1950 when under direct fire from enemy coast defense guns." After Korea Bill attended submarine school in New London, CT and qualified in submarines while serving on the USS Barb (SS-220) and later the USS Trumpetfish (SS-425). Bill resigned from the Navy and went on to receive his masters degree in 1958 at Georgetown University where he also coached the Varsity tennis team.

Leaving the Navy in 1955 Lt. Barnes then served in the Naval Reserve and later commanded Submarine Division 5-7 out of Baltimore. Under Bill’s command they were awarded the Nimitz trophy in 1968 as the number one submarine reserve division in the country. Bill was selected for promotion to the grade of Captain in the USNR in 1969. Bill retired from the Naval Reserves January, 1984.

Bill spent 30 years at the U.S. Navy Engineering Experimental Station later named the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development center in Annapolis. Bill was appointed head of the newly established Ship Acoustic Trials Group at the Annapolis Division of DTNSRDC which engaged primarily in acoustic research in nuclear submarines at sea. Bill received numerous achievement awards and peer recognition during his tenure at the Center.

Following his retirement from DTNSRDC, Bill worked as a consultant for Vector Research and Radix Corporation.

Bill loved music and dancing with his wife Fay especially jitterbugging to big band music. He loved people, had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. An avid tennis player, Bill played in numerous tournaments and enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren the game of tennis.

He was predeceased by brothers, Richard J. Barnes, Capt. James P. Barnes, USN (Ret.), Michael P. Barnes and one sister, Jacqueline Barnes Fairchild.

Besides his wife Bill is survived by three daughters, Kathleen Barnes Davies, Cynthia Barnes Powell, Jamie Barnes Greenberg and six grandchildren.

Visitation will be held March 11 from 5 to 7 at the Taylor Funeral Home, Annapolis.

A memorial mass will be held at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel on March 12 at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow immediately at the USNA Columbarium.

Jack was a patriotic American who served in the Navy from 1951 to 1959. Jack was recipient of several Navy medals including 2 Korean Service medals, a National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and a United Nations Service Medal. Jack was a lifetime member of the VFW and served as Post Commander 2 years and Quartermaster for 1 year. He proudly flew his American flag at his home in Salome.

Jack often spoke of his time and work on the Central Arizona Project as well as his affiliation with the Carpenter's Union. He was a proud card-carrying member of the NRA. Jack may have been known best as "Jackson" bar tending at many bars and restaurants in town and along the river, where everyone knew his name. Left to cherish Jack's love and memory are his wife of 22 years, Yvonne Bateman; children, Christina (Bush) & Leo Jimenez and Wyly (Bush) & Chris Wallace and grandchildren Leonardo, Steven, Emily (Jimenez), Maxx (Wallace) and great-grandson Jaden (Jimenez). He is also survived by his eldest sister: Helen Baker (OK); his nieces Karen Warren (AZ), Linda McMahill (OK), Pat Brodie (TX) and nephews Van Bateman (AZ), Lynn Baker (OK), Wesley Haggard (OK) and many others.

A celebration of Jack's life and service to our country will be held Saturday, April 10th at 1:00PM at Parker Funeral Home, including VFW and American Legion Ceremonies. All are welcomed.