Joseph Timothy Fleming's charmed life came to a peaceful end on July 14, 2015, twenty months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Although he only graced this world for 60 years, Joe lived an amazing life filled with love, happiness, and adventure. The 7th of 12 children born to Edward and Elizabeth Fleming, Joe spent a happy childhood in Omaha, Nebraska surrounded by his 11 brothers and sisters and his many friends. He loved swimming and art and water skiing. Joe attended Creighton Prep before graduating from Mount Michael Benedictine school in 1972. After high school Joe was accepted and spent three years at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He left in 1975 to begin working.

In 1985, Joe moved to Southern California. He quickly met the love of his life and soulmate, Polly. They married and by 1988 had two sweet girls, Erin Elizabeth and Claire Elysse. Joe loved being a husband and dad. He loved coaching, volunteering in his girls' classrooms, and spending weekends and summers exploring the western United States. The whole family loved traveling and have many happy memories of their fun-filled road trips along the west coast to Seattle, to Yellowstone, to Omaha, and to every state in the Western US. After Erin and Claire grew up and secured their own lives and careers, Joe and Polly continued their adventures traveling to Europe, Canada, Hawaii, and across the USA. Joe especially loved their annual treks up PCH, hiking the coastal peaks of California, and looking for wildlife.

In 1987, Joe began working at UCI Medical Center in Orange. He began as a painter, worked his way up, and finished his career as Superintendent of Plant in Facilities Management. He loved his job and his co-workers. He was grateful for the support he received during his illness. In addition to working at UCI, Joe was a patient there. He was given excellent care and credits the doctors, nurses, and technicians at UCI for helping him live a year beyond his initial prognosis.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elizabeth Fleming and his nephew Leif Mauch. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Polly; his daughters Erin Elizabeth Fleming and Claire Elysse Fleming. He is also survived by his 11 brothers and sisters, Rosemary Fleming, Mike Fleming and wife Alice, Patti Fleming, John Fleming and wife Roxanne, Mary Kent and husband Jim, Dolores Mauch and husband Curt, Tom Fleming, Jane Fleming and husband Bob Henningsen, Paul Fleming and wife Bichon, Anne Comstock and husband Steve, and Kelly Fleming. In addition, Joe leaves behind many friends and family who will forever remember him as an all around good guy and solid person.

Joe's family invites you to a celebration of his life at O'Connor Mortuary on July 25, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest. Visitation will be July 24th at 7:00 pm at O'Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Chao Cancer Center at UCI Medical Center or to the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation.