BMWE Mourns Loss of Officer

Samuel Everett Fleming (1923-2000)

S. E. "Sam" Fleming in 1982

Samuel E. Fleming, retired vice president who resided in Meridian, Mississippi, passed away on Saturday, December 9 at the age of 77. He had served for 20 years as vice president of the Western Region prior to his retirement July 1, 1983.

Fleming joined the BMWE not quite 50 years ago in July 1951, when the union was originally certified to represent maintenance of way employes of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Elected to a leadership position at that time as one of the charter officers of BMWE's Local Lodge 2410, he served in that local unit as past president, recording secretary, division chairman and member of the Grievance Committee.

In 1953, he was elected general chairman of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe System Federation and held that position for nine years.

In 1958, while still General Chairman, Fleming was elected to the Grand Lodge Executive Board. In 1962, he was elected as Grand Lodge vice president, to which office he was reelected in 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978 and 1982. At the time of his retirement he was the BMWE's senior Grand Lodge vice president.

Fleming began his railroad career on the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe in 1947 as a ditcher engineer.

The oldest of 13 children, Sam Fleming was born on May 17, 1923 in Crandall, Mississippi. During his BMWE career, he lived for many years in Newton, Kansas and Aurora, Colorado.

Sam's brother Mac, BMWE President, paid tribute: "To me, Sam was much more than a brother. He was my friend, advisor and mentor. Years ago, I had the opportunity to work under Sam as a union representative and organizer. Sam was not always as easy going and laid back as some might think. When he put his union hat on, so to speak, he was a very determined, hard-nosed negotiator. He usually accomplished what he set out to do when representing the railway workers he passionately loved. Sam loved life and he continued to be involved in the union movement throughout his lifetime. He was still president of the board of directors of the AT&SF Hospital Association, a health care network for rail workers. His counsel will be missed by all."

In addition to 11 brothers and sisters, Sam Fleming is survived by his wife Earline, a son Samuel Earl, four daughters, Jean Norton, Diane Grimley, Carolyn Beddingfield, Gail Gasparetto, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.