Bill Text: VA SJR225 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Carl Fletcher Flemer, III.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-01-16 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ225ER) [SJR225 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-SJR225-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Carl Fletcher Flemer III, an esteemed nurseryman and businessman, honorable veteran, and active and beloved member of the Northern Neck community, died on June 30, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Carl "Fletch" Flemer attended Fork Union Military Academy and graduated from Christchurch School before attending The College of William and Mary and earning a degree in horticulture from North Carolina State University; and
WHEREAS, Fletch Flemer joined the United States Army in 1969 and served his country with honor and distinction for three years as a commissioned rotary wing aviator with the 174th Assault Helicopter Company; and
WHEREAS, while in the service, Fletch Flemer flew more than 1,000 hours of helicopter missions during the Vietnam War and was recognized with the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and 22 Air Medals; and
WHEREAS, Fletch Flemer would support his fellow veterans over the years as a dedicated member of the Combat Helicopter Pilots Association and a life member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association; and
WHEREAS, in 1972, Fletch Flemer joined his family's business at Ingleside Nurseries, known by many as the largest and finest plant nursery in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Fletch Flemer became president of Ingleside Nurseries upon the retirement of his father, Carl Flemer, Jr., in 1985 and sagaciously led the operation until his own retirement in 2022, developing the nursery into one of the biggest on the east coast of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Fletch Flemer actively supported the nursery industry as president of the former Virginia Nurserymen's Association, the former Southern Nurserymen's Association, the former American Association of Nurserymen, and the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show; and
WHEREAS, Fletch Flemer's commitment to his community manifested itself through his service as a board member of the Virginia Farm Bureau, Peoples Community Bank, Christchurch School, St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock, and the Westmoreland County Wetlands Board; he was also notably one of the founders of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Fletch Flemer was an accomplished horseman and fox hunter who regularly rode with Commonwealth Foxhounds, Casanova Hunt, and Caroline Hunt, and he could often be found on the Rappahannock River captaining his pontoon boat, the "Fun Ship"; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Fletch Flemer enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Oak Grove, where he served as a lay reader and warden and on various committees; and
WHEREAS, Fletch Flemer will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his mother, Shirley; his siblings, Doug, Christopher, Sherri, Sara, and John, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Carl Fletcher Flemer III, a treasured member of the Northern Neck community whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Carl Fletcher Flemer III as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
