Obituaries

Leroy Fleeman

Photo of Leroy Fleeman
Homer Leroy Fleeman Jr., 85, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, died Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers. He was born July 3, 1933 in Flatonia, Texas to Lillian Barnhart and Homer Leroy Fleeman Sr. At age 11, Leroy and his family moved to Rogers. While attending school, if he wasn't playing football or basketball, he worked for his father at Food Town. He graduated from Rogers High School in 1951. At age 20, he was inducted into the US Army. Upon completing his training period at Fort Leonard Wood, he spent the next 18 months in Germany with the 7th Division. After his stint in the Army, he returned home to work for his father and worked his way up from bag boy to manager and eventually became part owner with his father and brother at Food Town. Soon after returning to Rogers, he began dating Barbara Brust, the girl he would love with all his heart for the rest of his life. They married August 18, 1957. They began to grow their family and had three children who were his pride and joy. Leroy loved his family, spending time and making memories with them was one of his greatest pleasures. In the 1960's, he started a construction/development company developing subdivisions and building homes in Rogers, Bentonville and Springdale. Later he also constructed apartments and shopping centers. The most important event in Leroy's life was when he accepted Christ as his Savior, 45 years ago. He fully turned his life over to Christ. He began a love and strong passion of sharing his faith. He was never too busy and never wanted to miss the opportunity to witness to anyone who was not a believer, for that was his gift. He always humbly said he was just a seed planter. He felt called to deliver the message of Christ and to plant the seeds so others could also share the gift of salvation, and he always gave God the glory. Leroy was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Rogers. He is an Ordained Deacon and served on the Bus Ministry for 12 years at FBC. After moving to Bella Vista seven years ago, Leroy became a member of Bella Vista Baptist Church. Leroy was an avid Razorback fan who rarely missed a football or basketball game. He also had a love for animals which lead to more than just having your average dog and cat. They purchased land to be able to raise miniature horses, llamas, red deer and other animals on their farm. Leroy began flying in the early 1960's and continued to fly until just a few years ago. He would fly the family on vacations but also just enjoyed taking the plane up as he loved any reason to get up in the air. Leroy was an honest, humble, kind and giving man and treated everyone fairly and with respect. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend and all adored him. He leaves behind a trail of lives he touched and will be greatly missed but we all look forward to being reunited again one day in Heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother; Bill Fleeman. Leroy is survived by: his wife of 60 years; Barbara Fleeman of Bella Vista, one son; Terry Fleeman and his wife Darlene, of Springdale, two daughters; Sherry Puttkammer and her husband Kurt, of Rogers, Tressa Harris and her husband David, of Rogers, six grandchildren; Corey, Alex, and Daniel Puttkammer, Jeremiah Fleeman and wife Ashley, Payton and Rachel Harris. He also has two step-grandchildren; Matt Odom, Jared Odom and his wife Terrica, and three step-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. at First Baptist Church at the Olive Street Campus. A celebration of Leroy's life will be held: Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church at the Olive Street Campus with Pastor Mike McCauley, Pastor Ben Rowell, and Pastor Wes George officiating. Interment will follow at Pinnacle Memorial Gardens located in Rogers. Pallbearers: Corey Puttkammer, Alex Puttkammer, Daniel Puttkammer, Jeremiah Fleeman, and Payton Harris. Honorary Pallbearers: Hardy Johnson, Joe Hewgley, Ren Nardoni, Tom Howell, Bill Gilbert.
 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Leroy Fleeman to any of the following: Bella Vista Baptist Church Missions Fund, 50 Lancashire Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. 72714; First Baptist Church Rogers Mission Fund, 3364 W Pleasant Grove Rd., Rogers, Ark. 72758; Benton County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, 2601 SW D Street, Bentonville, Ark. 72712. Arrangements by Epting Funeral Home Bella Vista. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

Published July 17, 2018

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