John David Fleck left his body on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the age of 82. He leaves behind his wife of over 58 years, Judith Anne (Keller) Fleck, his three children Janette (Scott) Combs, Jennifer (Gregory) Fleck, and Jason Fleck, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, seven siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth (Kapanka) Fleck and David Fleming Fleck, and his brother David James Fleck.

John was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 20, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan. That was the only time his birthday ever fell on Thanksgiving, because in December of that year, President Roosevelt signed the resolution to change the holiday from the third to the fourth Thursday of November. John always enjoyed sharing that fact with the family, and it is probably why his favorite birthday cake was always pumpkin pie.

The eldest of nine children, John grew up in Farmington, Michigan. He often shared stories of walking downtown to the Civic Theater with his brother Dave where the two of them could enjoy a movie and candy bar for under 50-cents. A 1961 graduate of Farmington High School, he was the first in his family to attend college. He was a member of the Northern Michigan University chapter of Chi Sigma Nu fraternity, and his fraternity brothers became lifelong friends. After graduation, he returned to Farmington, where he raised his family and was a reading specialist and Hall of Fame teacher in the Farmington Public Schools, teaching there for 41 years. Mr. Fleck was an educational innovator, using lyrics to popular songs in the 1970s-80s to reach his more reluctant readers. Later he used yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques to help his students improve their focus on their studies. He was always active in his teachers’ union, and remained a passionate advocate for fair labor practices in all workplaces.

John always enjoyed traveling with his wife Judith. Every summer, after summer school was over, he took the family to camp on Lake Superior, and to visit family and friends up north, and to work and relax at the family property in the western end of the U.P. After he retired from teaching, John and Judith took several trips across the country camping and visiting national parks and monuments as well as visiting family and friends who had moved far from Michigan.

John was always available to lend a hand, money, food, advice or support to any friend or family member in need. He will be missed by many.

Memorial Gathering for Mr. Fleck will be held Friday, April 12th, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of his Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in his memory to World Central Kitchen at wck.org