Obituary of Chris R. Fleming
Chris R. Fleming (63), resident of Santa, ID passed away at his home on December 18, 2024 with his family by his side. He was born to Jay and Norma Fleming on November 30, 1961, in Coeur d’ Alene, ID. Chris grew up in Coeur d’ Alene where he loved to recreate by fishing and hunting at an early age. He graduated from Coeur d’ Alene high School with the class of 1979.
Following high school in 1980, Chris enlisted into the U.S. Navy where he was stationed in San Diego, CA. He met Shiela Swafford through his father, who was the Coeur d’ Alene Press paper delivery person. He met Sheila along his route and thought she would be perfect for his son. The couple went out on a date, and he proposed over the phone 6 months later while he was stationed in Chicago. They married on May 4, 1983, at the Hitching Post.
After the nuptials, Sheila accompanied Chris to Seattle, Long Beach, and Alaska all the while starting their family along the way having 3 children. He retired from the military, and the family moved to Coeur d’ Alene for 6 months before he found work at Emerald Creek Garnet near Fernwood. The family moved Upriver and have been there ever since. To support his family, he worked for Emerald Creek for 11 years, Jims Auto for nearly a decade, and Benewah Motors for 13 years. Sadly a cancer diagnoses forced him to retire January 2023.
Aside from hunting and fishing, Chris loved guns, reloading, tinkering on anything and everything with a small engine, 4 wheeling, telling jokes and stories, and shooting ground squirrels. All of his hobbies were enjoyed with his family and friends. Most important to him was spending time with his grandchildren. He also served as a Hunters Safety Instructor, participated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and was instrumental with Toys for Tots out of Seattle for several years.
Chris is survived by his wife Sheila at their home in Santa; children Heidi Hodgson (Clint Allman) of St. Maries, ID, Kendra Fleming of Moses Lake, WA, and Samuel Fleming of Santa, ID; siblings Rod (Sherry) Fleming of Kansas, Kim (Sherryl) Fleming of Coeur d’ Alene, and Kevin Fleming of St. Maries; 6 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Military honors will be presented at a later date for Chris.
