James A. Fleegle, family man
James “Jim” Allen Fleegle, 85, of Rehoboth Beach passed peacefully from this life at home, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. He was born Aug. 16, 1936, in Johnstown, Pa., the only child of the late Eleanor (Allen) and Kenneth Fleegle.
After graduating high school, Jim attended Washington & Jefferson College on a track scholarship and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He later attended the University of Pittsburgh. After college, he served several years in the Army before being honorably discharged.
In December 1959, Jim and Shirley secretly eloped and married while Shirley was in nurses training. They met through a mutual friend at church and began dating after high school. They lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., Rocky River, Ohio, and Wilmington. In 1989, they bought their summer home at the beach and in 2003, retired full time to their permanent home in Rehoboth Beach. They were actively involved in community and friendship activities in all the places they lived.
Jim worked in medical sales most of his life, traveling the East Coast. One of Jim’s favorite stories to tell was of the time he hitchhiked to California in 1956 to visit a cousin with only $30 in his pocket.
Very active in his family’s lives, he served as president of the Mount Pleasant High School Sports Boosters Association for several years, and despite traveling, always managed to be at every sporting event.
Many of his summer weekends were spent on Rehoboth Beach, which often included a trip down the boardwalk to Gus & Gus Place. Jim also loved following Philadelphia sports, reading, traveling and playing golf. He had a genuine sweet tooth and especially loved his ice cream and Tastykakes.
Jim was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth, where he participated in Bible study, the English as a Second Language Program, and the International Student Outreach Program. He was well known for his dishwashing skills in the church kitchen after their social events.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Shaffer Fleegle; his three children: Jamey O’Shea (Michael) of Rehoboth Beach, Jeff Fleegle (Linda) of Contoocook, N.H., and Jay Fleegle (Peggy) of Lewes; five grandchildren: Sarah King (Ty), Stacey King (Zachary), Paige Fleegle (Alec), James Allen Fleegle II, and Emily Fleegle; one great-grandson, Mason James Woodyard; and his two standard poodles, Lizzie and Annie.
The family was the center of Jim’s world. He was a dedicated husband, supportive father, loving grandfather, and loyal friend. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. Jim will be remembered by family and friends as a modest man of few words, but when he spoke, the words were important and well-considered.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 26, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth Beach, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. All are invited for a celebration of life and luncheon after the service.
A special thank you to Delaware Hospice, especially Chelsea Glasgow and Josie Garson, who took excellent care of Jim over the last eight months.
Final care for Mr. Fleegle has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to The Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Visit Jim’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
