Royce Elwyn Fleming

Olathe, Kansas- Royce Fleming passed away on December 15, 2020 at the age of 87 following a brief bout with Covid-19. Royce was one of the kindest souls to grace this earth, and was loved and admired by his many friends and relatives. His nieces and nephew have no doubt that he was eagerly welcomed at the pearly gates by his big sis Pauline Fleming Gamet.

Royce was born on November 14, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri, adopted at birth by Lenoir Avery Fleming and Wealthy Ihrig Fleming. He spent his earliest years in Plainville, Kansas where both his parents were educators, entered kindergarten in Ottawa, KS in 1938, and by the age of 7 had moved to Elgin, Illinois where his father was General Secretary of the Board of Christian Education of the Church of the Brethren. Following the tragic death of his mother in 1946, Royce was adopted by his father’s second wife, Anne Neiderhiser Royer Fleming, a clinical psychologist and university professor, in 1947.

As a child, Royce demonstrated incredible talent in the arts, excelling at the study of the violin, piano, dance, and theater. He earned a B.S. in Education at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO, with graduate work at Emporia State University, Western State College of Colorado, the University of Wisconsin River Falls, Northern University of Colorado at Greeley, and the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. By the time he was in his early twenties, Royce had demonstrated ability at drawing, water color and oil painting; as well as pottery, weaving, and jewelry design. Coming from a family of teachers, Royce was a natural fit to become a teacher as well. He taught art, theater, and humanities for 40 years in Topeka, KS, most of those years as a popular teacher at Topeka West High School. At the time of his retirement, he was the Consulting Teacher for Art and Theater for USD 501, working with 17 art teachers in the district. He was a frequent participant in the Plaza Art Show, displaying his screen prints and landscape watercolors. Royce was frequently commissioned by individuals and businesses to create personal artwork as well as murals. Approximately 8 years ago, his beautiful winter scene was chosen for the Alzheimer’s Association of Kansas City’s annual Christmas card.

Royce loved traveling the world with friends and family, and photographing every place he visited. His favorite travel buddy was his cousin, Gerry O. Sibley, of Wichita, KS. He especially loved being Gerry’s wingman as they flew to their destinations in Gerry’s plane. Royce also enjoyed studying his family genealogy, helping to compile and publish the book, Abraham Fleming and His Descendants.

In addition to his cousin, Gerry O. Sibley, Royce is survived by his nieces and nephew, Merilyn Gamet Paris (Nick) of Overland Park, Kathy Gamet Stephenson(John) of Leawood, and Carleton L. Gamet(Carol) of Longmont, CO, and 6 grand nieces and nephews, as well as 8 great grand nieces and nephews. Royce was very appreciative to Nick Paris for his handling of many financial and personal affairs for the past ten years as Royce’s health had declined.