Julian ‘Jim’ Davis Fleming

Mr. Julian “Jim” Davis Fleming was born July 16, 1922, in Athens, to the late Julian Davis Fleming Sr. and Annie Lois Fleming.

He passed away peacefully April 13, 2022, at the age of 99, in Ellijay.

He spent the last 10 years of his life enjoying the love and care of his daughter, Terry Hackney, and the frequent visits of his daughter, Valerie Bennett.

“Big Jim,” as his grandchildren called him, was loving, intelligent, and characterized by a quick wit that kept those around him laughing. He held a deep faith that got him through many losses of family and friends.

He married the love of his life, Wynette, in 1946. They were married 68 years.

He is survived by  children, Valerie, Terry and Roger; six grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and several devoted nieces and a nephew.

He was a World War II navigator on a B24 and flew 52 combat missions over Germany, North Africa, Italy, France and other countries, and was once forced to bail out of his plane over Wales at an altitude of only 300 feet. Thirty-five years later, he returned to the site of that crash, and was honored by the mayor and people of the town.

He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in October 1945 as a captain. Later in life, he published a book, With Wings as Eagles detailing many of his wartime exploits. He was the last remaining member of his flight crew.

He was awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with nine oakleaf clusters and a Presidential Unit Citation.

In March of 2015, at the Atlanta capitol, he was personally awarded the French Legion Medal of Honor by the president of France.

He was a member of the Royal Airforce Club in London, England, the American Legion (the “Allen R. Fleming” Post, named for his grandfather), a charter member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, a Mensa member, and the “Cottontails” (the 450th bombardment group, 721st squadron). He attended North Georgia College and also earned a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. He spent his career in advertising.

A military memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Logan Funeral Home Pavilion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Homestead Hospice Blairsville, in memory of Mr. Fleming.

Condolences can be made at www.loganfuneralhome.com.

Logan Funeral Home & Chapel is in charge of arrangements.