Jerry Joe Fleming passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, September 26, 2026. He was 28,359 days old, or 77 years—for those who count in years.
Jerry was born on February 3rd, 1949, in Key West, Florida. He was born to Dorothy and Joe Ben Fleming. He was a carefree, red-headed wild child, who would escape from the bath and run down the street naked wanting to get to his dad at work . . . but despite the hiccups, he was the best son. Jerry moved a couple of times in his young childhood before landing in Paris, Texas, where he spent the rest of his childhood and teenage years. He attended Paris High, played basketball, and was the designated driver who could be counted on (Go Wild Child!).
Jerry met Brenda Coco at Paris Lanes and from that point on, they only had eyes for each other. After a year and a half, Jerry and Brenda married on May 30th, 1970, in a small service in Brookston, Texas. Jerry and Brenda shared a beautiful love and marriage for 56 years. Brenda says she was blessed to have had Jerry as a husband.
Jerry and Brenda moved to Little Rock where he attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas. It was there where they had two daughters: Cristi and Shelly. Jerry became a father and was the best dad a kid could have asked for. Soon after Shelly was born, the family moved to El Paso, Texas, where Jerry attended UTEP and obtained his Master’s degree in Chemistry. They established a life in El Paso—Jerry started teaching Chemistry and Physics at Canutillo High School. When not teaching, he took the family on numerous trips, camping every summer, visiting national parks, visiting planetariums, and looking through telescopes on clear nights, establishing a love of the outdoors and space in his children.
Jerry moved back to Paris in 1996, where he continued his teaching career at Paris High School. He was a teacher here for 15 years before he retired in 2012. Throughout his teaching career, he inspired the lives of many students, not only through academics, but with his patient and kind demeanor. He loved teaching, he loved his students, and they loved him. Upon retiring, Jerry received a certificate for a star that was named after him: “Fleming’s Revenge.” He spent his retirement days working outdoors and always finding new projects, whether it be building a sky shed, a chicken coop, or repairing a tractor over and over and over . . . He loved the land, he loved the work, and his love of animals was endless.
Jerry and Brenda also had 5 beautiful grandchildren. When he became a grandpa, he stepped into that role naturally and seamlessly as if he had been born for it. He would attend all of their concerts, sporting events, and plays. He would pick them up from school and go to Sonic and Burger King for a treat; he would make them yummy breakfasts; he shared his love of science and space through television shows and telescopes; he taught them how to use tools and tinker with machines; he instilled morals in his grandkids and helped establish the importance of treating people with respect. He was a constant positive, happy presence, but also loved the occasional joke—”pull my finger.”
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Joe Ben, and his sister, Helen Ruth. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, daughters, Cristi and Shelly, grandchildren, Alex, Zyon, Piper, Nathan, and Fletcher, and many other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Paris Animal Shelter or another worthy cause.
Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday September 29, 2026, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be made in Evergreen Cemetery.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
