The Life of JOHN H FLEMING
John H. Fleming, 75, of Palm Springs, Calif. passed away suddenly on February 10, 2014.
John was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, the only son of Lela Mae and "Boots" Fleming, the founders and owners of "Peggy''s Tavern", an icon of student life near the campus of Drake University. Assisting his parents in the family business planted the seeds for what would become his life''s work: he had a successful career in and an incomparable knowledge of the restaurant business.
John graduated from the hotel-restaurant program at Michigan State University in 1961 and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. His first job was as food and beverage flight services manager with Pan American World Airways. The next stop was at one of the most famous restaurants in the world, the "21 Club" in New York City. Here, working with the great Pete Kriendler and Jerry Berns, John honed all the skills and talents required to succeed in the fine dining market. John''s expertise, style and contacts with leaders of business, commerce, and entertainment then took him to Chicago in 1976, creating Cricket''s at The Tremont Hotel, the first-ever 21 Club-managed eatery expansion. Years of success and new opportunities in cities across the country followed: Metro in Chicago in 1982, the former Maxim''s de Paris, sold to John by Nancy Florsheim Goldberg upon her retirement; the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas; Brennan''s in Atlanta; Lujon''s in Denver, and the Helmsley Palace, New York City. In Palm Springs John served in a managerial capacity for the Kaiser Restaurant Group and as manager of the Kobe Steak House.
When he finally gave up the 24-hour demands of the restaurant industry, John made the desert his home. In retirement he found a rich personal life as a volunteer for many local organizations. He served as a member of the board for the popular Thursday night VillageFest. He volunteered each year for the Palm Springs Film Festival. He happily gave of his time each week to assist U.S. Marines stationed at the nearby 29 Palms Marine Base as a volunteer for the USO. And he was an active member of his HOA Board of Directors.
John thoroughly enjoyed being with people and made many close friends in Palm Springs. But he never forgot his old friends. Each year he opened his heart and his home to friends from around the country, especially in the winter months. John, a true gentleman, will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.
John is survived by thirteen cousins.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of John H. Fleming be given to one of the charitable organizations he supported. Thank you. Aids Assistance Program 1276 North Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA. 92262, 760.325.8481, Website: aidsassistance.org. Martha''s Village and Kitchen 83-791 Date Ave., Indio, CA 92201, 760.347.4741, Website: marthasvillage.org. United Service Organization - USO, 203 World Way, Los Angeles, CA. 90045, 310.645.3716. Local Website: bobhopeuso.org. National Website: uso.org. Palm Springs Art Museum - Palm Springs, Calif. 101 N. Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CA.92262, 760.322.4800, Website: psmuseum.org
John was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, the only son of Lela Mae and "Boots" Fleming, the founders and owners of "Peggy''s Tavern", an icon of student life near the campus of Drake University. Assisting his parents in the family business planted the seeds for what would become his life''s work: he had a successful career in and an incomparable knowledge of the restaurant business.
John graduated from the hotel-restaurant program at Michigan State University in 1961 and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. His first job was as food and beverage flight services manager with Pan American World Airways. The next stop was at one of the most famous restaurants in the world, the "21 Club" in New York City. Here, working with the great Pete Kriendler and Jerry Berns, John honed all the skills and talents required to succeed in the fine dining market. John''s expertise, style and contacts with leaders of business, commerce, and entertainment then took him to Chicago in 1976, creating Cricket''s at The Tremont Hotel, the first-ever 21 Club-managed eatery expansion. Years of success and new opportunities in cities across the country followed: Metro in Chicago in 1982, the former Maxim''s de Paris, sold to John by Nancy Florsheim Goldberg upon her retirement; the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas; Brennan''s in Atlanta; Lujon''s in Denver, and the Helmsley Palace, New York City. In Palm Springs John served in a managerial capacity for the Kaiser Restaurant Group and as manager of the Kobe Steak House.
When he finally gave up the 24-hour demands of the restaurant industry, John made the desert his home. In retirement he found a rich personal life as a volunteer for many local organizations. He served as a member of the board for the popular Thursday night VillageFest. He volunteered each year for the Palm Springs Film Festival. He happily gave of his time each week to assist U.S. Marines stationed at the nearby 29 Palms Marine Base as a volunteer for the USO. And he was an active member of his HOA Board of Directors.
John thoroughly enjoyed being with people and made many close friends in Palm Springs. But he never forgot his old friends. Each year he opened his heart and his home to friends from around the country, especially in the winter months. John, a true gentleman, will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.
John is survived by thirteen cousins.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of John H. Fleming be given to one of the charitable organizations he supported. Thank you. Aids Assistance Program 1276 North Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA. 92262, 760.325.8481, Website: aidsassistance.org. Martha''s Village and Kitchen 83-791 Date Ave., Indio, CA 92201, 760.347.4741, Website: marthasvillage.org. United Service Organization - USO, 203 World Way, Los Angeles, CA. 90045, 310.645.3716. Local Website: bobhopeuso.org. National Website: uso.org. Palm Springs Art Museum - Palm Springs, Calif. 101 N. Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CA.92262, 760.322.4800, Website: psmuseum.org