Jack Fleeman, the former proprietor of Fleeman’s Pharmacy at North Highland and St. Charles Ave, died in the early morning hours August 15th 2009. He was raised in Telfair and Wilcox counties in South Georgia and later moved to Atlanta. His mother ran a boardinghouse on Spring Street and then another one on Ponce de Leon. He began his career as a ‘soda jerk’ at the Biltmore Pharmacy and in 1943 and later graduated from the Southern School of Pharmacy on Walton Street. He went to work at the corner drugstore (built in 1914), as it was known later as Cox and Baucom, Baucom and Fleeman and ultimately Fleeman’s Pharmacy. Eventually sold, Fleeman’s Pharmacy is now known as “Belly’s General Store”.
Mr. Fleeman served our country in the South Pacific during WWII as a member of the U.S. Navy.
An avid collector of Coca-Cola memorabilia, he displayed much of it prominently at his corner drugstore. The history and serving of Coca-Cola was of utmost importance to him. Coca-Cola commissioned the hand painting of the side of the drugstore building on N. Highland Avenue in original Coca-Cola colors. In 1995, a Coca-Cola brand historical tray was made and sold. Douglas Ivester, President of Coca-Cola at the time visited Fleeman’s Pharmacy in 1993 to see the Coke memorabilia and complimented Mr. Fleeman for his museum and thanked him for being a “truly valued customer”. Mr. Ivester joined Mr. Fleeman behind the Soda Fountain on one occasion for a hands-on demonstration and lesson on what it took to be a ‘Soda Jerk’ and how Coca-Cola was dispensed many years ago. His daughter Jackie, retired from Delta Air Lines in 2004 and is now employed in her second career with the Coca-Cola Company. This accomplishment made him very proud and for his daughter to be a member of the Coca-Cola family.
Fleeman’s Photography began as a hobby and he went on to make himself a successful photography business. Some of his first photography pictures were taken at a Rattle Snake Roundup in South Georgia and then he moved on to more traditional photography including weddings, bar mitzvah’s, portraits and group pictures. He said he liked to tell a story behind the faces of his wedding photography. He was also the photographer behind such notable local celebrities making pictures for Senator Herman Talmadge, Governor Lester Maddox and Hovie Lister. Atlanta businesses such as the Salvation Army, The Greek Orthodox Church, Shriners, Petite Auberge and the Colonnade Restaurants also used Mr. Fleeman. He mentored newcomers to the photography business and their success can greatly attributed to the lessons Mr. Fleeman gave.
Mr. Fleeman is survived by his daughters, Jackie Fleeman and Phoebe Ward, three Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and many close loving relatives and wonderful friends. His wife, Nina pre-deceased him several weeks ago on May 30. They were married 58 years. Also to note, great appreciation is given to the Fleeman’s Caregiver, Ingrid Morrison, Gifty Mensah, Velma Steele and others from the Griswold Special Care Agency.
The newspaper notice published in the AJC follows:
Mr. George Jackson Fleeman, 86, of Atlanta, former owner of Fleeman’s Pharmacy, died Saturday, August 15, 2009. He was born in Americus, GA on April 19, 1923 to George Washington Fleeman and Lena Ora Boney. He graduated from Pineview High School, Pineview, GA and from the Southern College of Pharmacy in 1943, which in now Mercer University. Mr. Fleeman was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U. S. Navy. He was a Mason with Gate City Lodge #2 F. & A.M., and past president of the Druid Hills Civitan Club. Mr. Fleeman was a member of the Scottish Rite Yaarab Temple. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nina Brista Hankins Fleeman. Mr. Fleeman is survived by his daughters, Jackie Fleeman, Phoebe Ward; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons with Rev. Jim Howell and Rev. James Sanders officiating. Entombment to follow at Westview Abbey. In lieu of flowers, those that wish may make contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, The Shriner’s or The Salvation Army. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at A. S. Turner & Sons.
