Ralph Dustin Fleming, Jr.
December 7, 1935 – October 31, 2026
Ralph Dustin Fleming, Jr., 90, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on
October, 31, 2026 at Marietta Memorial Hospital.
Ralph was born on December 7, 1935, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to Ralph Dustin Fleming, Sr.,
and Thelma Virginia Bowersock Fleming. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sue Ann “Suzie”
Arnold Fleming, who he married on April 29, 1967, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in
Churchtown, Ohio. He is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Ken Arnold (Evelyn) of
Yelm, Washington, Marty Sabic (Ken) of Phoenix, Arizona, Diane Arnold of Centerville, Ohio, Becky
Cox (Tom) of Marietta, Ohio, Tim Arnold (Kathie) of Fleming, Ohio, Barb Arnold of Vincent, Ohio, and
Diane Leber (Bud) of Spokane, Washington; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Dustin Fleming on August 27, 1987, and his
infant children, Michael Allen Fleming, December 1, 1969; Jennifer Sue Fleming, June 23, 1971; and
Betsy Lee Fleming, October 12, 1972. He was also preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law
Pamela, and brothers-in-law Luke and Matthew.
Ralph was a 1954 graduate of Parkersburg High School, where he played football, ran track (110-
and 220-meter hurdles) and wrestled for the Big Reds. Following high school graduation, he earned
an Associate’s Degree in teaching from Marshall University. He then joined Kaiser Aluminum in
Ravenswood, West Virginia as an Environmental Engineer in 1955. He subsequently joined the
United States Army in 1960 as a Private First Class stationed in Germany, where he served for two
years. During his stint in the Army in Germany, he served as the American Youth Activities Director,
working with the 6–18-year-old children of fellow soldiers stationed in Germany, organizing activities
such as trips around Europe. He also served as Choir Director for the non-denominational church on
the U.S. Army Base. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ralph returned to his role as an
Environmental Engineer with Kaiser Aluminum, working in both Ravenswood, West Virginia and
Belpre, Ohio. He retired around 2010 after a tenure of more than 50 years with the company.
Ralph had been a Methodist in his youth, but has for many years been a member of St. Margaret
Mary Catholic Church in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Early in his life, Ralph earned his pilot’s license
and enjoyed flying for leisure with friends and family out of Stewart Air Park in Parkersburg, West
Virginia, which has been the site of the Grand Central Mall since about 1970. In recent years, Ralph
has enjoyed walking at the Grand Central Mall with neighbors and friends, and holiday gatherings
with family.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 6, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Leavitt Funeral Home in
Parkersburg, West Virginia. A Catholic Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m.
on Friday, November 6, 2026. Burial will follow in the Mount Carmel Catholic cemetery in
Parkersburg.
Donations may be made to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 2500 Dudley Ave, Parkersburg, WV
26101.
The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the staff at Elison Assisted Living in Marietta, Ohio,
and to Morgan and Tiffany of Amedisys Hospice, for their exceptional care given to Ralph over the
past year.
Follow