FAIRDEALING — The battle was lost but the war was won as John David Fleming, 68, of Fairdealing, Ky., took his last breath at 3:08 a.m. Monday, December 24, 2012. He was surrounded by family and friends and his hope never waned as he battled the disease that took his life.

A celebration of John’s life will begin from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 27, 2012, at Collier Funeral Home, and continues at the chapel with a service on Friday, December 28, 2012, at 11 a.m. Brother Ricky Cunningham, pastor at the Hardin Baptist Church will be officiating.

John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty Jayne (Nicholson) Fleming; daughters, Becky Johnson and husband Craig of Fairdealing, Laurie Jayne Hilbrecht and husband Matt of Fairdealing, and Mary Ellen Foley and husband Brian of Symsonia; brother, Bill Hurley Fleming of Fairdealing; sister, Gloria Gene Sierra of Fairdealing; and grandchildren, Austin C. Johnson, Blake M. Johnson, Grant T. Johnson, Hailey L. Johnson, Sara N. Hilbrecht, M. David Hilbrech, John Phillip Foley and Thomas B. Foley.

He was preceded in death by his precious mother, Emma Frances Carpenter; by his father, Eugene Thomas Fleming; and a brother, Eugene Thomas Fleming Jr.

Mr. Fleming is a 30-year retiree of BellSouth where he proudly served as President of Communications Workers of America, Local 3315 and owner of Flemco Electric. He was member of the Hardin Baptist Church in Hardin, Ky.

The family asks that expressions of sympathy by made to: the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105